3: Underpainting is basically done, other than a few spots of the shawl that need a little touching up. Hair is Raw Umber and Titanium white (and I’ve basically just blocked in tones that I will paint over more directly than the rest of the portrait). Shawl is Ivory Black and Titanium White (it will be blue in the final painting). For my own amusement, I’m keeping track of how many layers I’ve applied. This is 3-4, at this point. Any constructive criticism is welcome.

Humbaba: Thanks for your thoughts. I’m pretty much self taught and have learned what I know from here and youtube. That said, all these layers dried quite quickly because the only medium I use is Liquin, which I use consistently all the way through the painting. I paint a layer cut with Liquin and then wait till it’s bone dry (24-48 hours) and then do another. I’m hoping the added flexibility of Liquin will prevent cracking. It’s hard to tell how “archival” this is and what it will look like in 100 years, but the previous piece I did in this manner has not cracked.

Face done. Onto hair and tattoo, unless anyone around here has comments.