Here is a close up of the transfer of sketch to canvas that I did yesterday. You can see places where I first marked a shadow with only a scribble, just enough to indicate where a structure of the face is. I then used a small sable brush to move that scribble until it becomes a smudge which now looks more like a structural shape than a scribble. It is alright to dip into the same neutral paint in order to refine what you are putting on the canvas. Just be sure to understand that these marks are going to end up under other layers of paint. They will act like a skeleton to form the features which describe a specific person. Today, I could darken some other features so they don’t get obscured by the next layers but I think I will have enough control if I leave them the way they are right now and instead I will work on the brights. When I teach, I like to have students pull out the brightest brights first. Since I am demonstrating my work and actually not following the beginner process, I will start with a half paste and then do the brights. Hopefully, I will get an image which shows the process well. You need to know that I do not use most of the usual mediums. I use Grumbacher Gel, a transparentizer. I will mix flake white (or Titanium) together half and half to make a half paste. Today I want this more transparent so I will use more gel. Now I use a medium sized brush to cover all the flesh area. When this is finished, I buff it to a smooth and glossy surface with a good, soft but firm, fan brush.
Diana Williams Portraits 