This is a practice copy. I find that copying old works helps to improve my own work. This started as a charcoal drawing, which was later fixed, and then tinted with a burnt umber wash. Then the paint was applied in progressive layers, with the highest value areas being the thickest. The red and blue areas (i.e. clothing) were transparent glazes over a monochrome underpainting (burnt umber/ultramarine blue as the dark, and titanium white as the lights. There is also no black in this painting. well, the umber/blue mix does make a black.


I am finding that I enjoy painting more direct than building up layers. Glazing does produce some special optical effects, however.