Every step is important, yes, but with a portrait, it is vital to capture a likeness. So, the artist must learn that the features are emphasized by the effect of light on the shapes of bones and muscles in our face. first we transfer the drawing, then we use the same transparent but dark paint to soften those lines and emphasize both shadowed areas and also certain features like folds, creases and deep places. Always buff, which is done using a soft fan brush lightly feathering over the top of the wet paint in order to remove brush marks and prepare the surface for the next layer. There are other methods of portrait painting and you must decide for yourself which you like best. i have found this one gives a realistic and pleasing finish to the portrait. As you refer to these posts, teach yourself to study closely. On this image, it may seem as though the entire face is beginning to look painted. if you study closely, you will see that it is simply and sparingly painted, first with the darks and now, minimally with the brights. please understand that the more precise you are in this stage, the less difficulty you will have as you proceed. it would be possible to begin the background at this time or work on the clothing, or even some of the hair marks. But, since i am attempting to teach you precision and method, I am encouraging you to not move ahead too fast, rather engrain in your mind the WAY to proceed so as not to end up frustrated and overwhelmed with a feeling of being lost, so to speak. Later, after you are more sure of the process, then you will have the confidence to overlap the steps and work at your own speed. You all have expressed the desire to improve your skills. Every thing I apply in my work was learned from observation, thought and practice. Discipline your artistic process and incorporate your own ideas into other projects. Keep the learning process in a separate compartment of your brain at least until you are finished with the project you have begun, that is, understanding this particular process. see you at the next step. Diana