Not every face on a needlepoint canvas belongs to a blue-eyed blonde. Marilyn Leavitt- Imblum is a cross stitch designer who has long listed alternative flesh tones for her designs on her website. These colors (all DMC cotton floss) are very helpful for someone trying to pick reasonably realistic tones for a face that isn't Caucasian. You can take a list of these to your local shop, pull out the DMC threads, then match their color to other brands if you want silk, a silk-wool blend, nylon threads, etc.
http://www.tiag.com/background/altcolor.html
Another tip I've heard recently is about geisha hair. Anne Stradal of ABS Designs told me she loves the blue-black shade of Silk and Ivory called "Midnight" for the stylized hairstyles these Japanese ladies wear.
Hopefully these tips will help someone stitch a face that pleases them.
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
