I have said it before, this layer is always going to look bad! This is an under painting. I do try to paint it with a degree of finesse but I want to emphasize that we are attempting to achieve the supple appearance of flesh. That will be accomplished with layers. As you work on these early layers, convince yourself that these layers are a foundation. The more well built the foundation, the better the final product.

When I work on my own projects at this stage, sometimes I begin to try perfecting it! This is sort of like a rabbit hole, it is never ending, you just cannot make progress. I remind myself to get the basics right. Also, even though this layer looks blotchy, make the areas smooth as possible and be sure to brush even the darkest parts with just a whisper. This will help unify it all, making it all part of the same portrait. You don’t want a dark shadow to stand out as though it is a blob of dirt on the skin. It takes a lot of portrait painting to begin to recognize how to make the shadows and lights of one face all look like the same color, only with light and shadow!
On a personal note, there are a lot of things going on with me. First, we always say, that when you have five daughters, there is always chaos somewhere, so, there is that. Next, Bruce and I have reached the place,(finally), where we must accept the interruptions of age related health issues. I have announced to my doctors that I will only concede to the most urgent tests. I don’t want to spend these later years trying to keep up with all the scheduled stuff. Sadly, for my art, there are difficulties and complications with my vision since having cataract surgery. To keep it simple, I am almost a year out and still do not have glasses that are helpful with my painting. Also the glaucoma is still looming, even though the cataract surgery was done to control the pressure. I am trying to fill my daylight hours with more activity. I cut back to help control pain levels but I am having more difficulty maintaining my weight. Since I bought up yards of fabric when the price was right, I have begun a daily amount of time on sewing projects. Today I made a pair of kackie colored jeans to go with a blouse I made last week. Lastly, I have spent three years perfecting an art tool. I am now trying to market it. I’ll let you all know if I am successful.
I cannot expect you to spend any more of your valuable time on the personal side of this blog. I do hope you will like and subscribe. I’d hate to make this effort if no one is interested. I thank God for my art friends, they are deeply interested in all this stuff. I am deeply grateful that they allow me to share what I have learned. I try to document as much as I can so that it will be available when someone needs it. Like and share. Shalom, Diana