When I taught myself how to paint portraits, everyday was a wild adventure. I would stare at my canvas and subject and ask myself, ‘ how in the world shall I proceed?’ So, I have returned to that basic because it seems to be a way to find my path through this maze. Without telling you too much, I will say that I isolated some of the larger pieces of the puzzle with dark, but transparent color. I have marked some significant features by means of the simplest grid. I am going to stop for now but when I go back to this, I will lay in some very bright touches to establish where the brightest light is. In my minds eye, I can see a vivid image. I aim for that from the beginning. This is only about an hour’s work, but, it is strategic. I must proceed carefully.