When people look at a portrait, they may think it looks simple. This image is at the stage where I always realize how complicated it is. I did a demonstration for my class last week to show them how to proceed with the flesh. The early layers are easy. You put on the flesh color mixed with a transparentizer and then you sculpt in the light with white or Naples yellow or whatever mixture the skin tones require. Do this as many times as necessary. BUT, then, after you establish a deep surface that looks like flesh, that is when you must begin the ‘detailing’. The artist knows what he/she wants. The question now becomes, ‘How do we get there?’ It is here at this point that the teaching becomes more difficult. How does one teach instinct or even the willingness to risk. It feels like a risk when you are not sure what mark to make, but with the method we are using, indirect method, it is not really all that risky. I tell my students that portrait painting is the art of ‘correcting, correcting, correcting!’ I will continue making marks and correcting on this portrait until, like Penochio, she comes alive. Her two brothers made it, I hope she is just as good! Till next time! Diana