I began my day by cutting out a suit jacket/blazer to begin a new outfit for summer. Actually it will work for all seasons. I made white jeans and a navy striped tee shirt and this navy linen look fabric will look sharp with those. Also i will make a navy print dress of the same fabric as the lining of the jacket and then navy dress slacks to complete the suit. So I was exhausted before noon and then I went to my studio to paint. This subject has me committed. It is captivating. I began today with the background. It is only the base layer but I believe I will stay with the neutral color. Right now it looks blah but when the colors of the subjects are applied I think the neutral background will work and enhance the entire painting. Next I mixed up a large quantity of dark from ultra marine blue and burnt umber. I use this for most canvas imprimatura, ie, the base color before applying the sketch. I use it also to develop the features, shadows and depths. I used titanium white to mark every place where light is creating bright areas on the surfaces. When teaching, I call this stage, finding the BRIGHTS. Tomorrow, if the surface is dry, I will mix a half paste with Grumbacher Gel and Titanium white with Flake white in equal portions. I will apply this to all the flesh areas, working it into the weave as I brush it off and buff the surface. I won’t proceed if today’s work is not dry. There are plenty of other areas to work on. And, of course, I can sew. Hugs till then. Blessings, Diana