This lady was in front of the church and even though with a strong wind blowing, she might, I repeat, might hit 4 ft. tall, she had a larger than life presence.
I strongly believe in asking for help but you must also be open to receiving on the answer. Both require two different strengths in your person.
This is also a lesson for those who might be interested.
The pink painting has low lights (aka shadows) that are done in "lamp black" (lots of brown pigments) and the green one's low lights are done in "payne's grey" (lots of blue pigments). I hope these pictures show it but my camera is not the best.
The payne's grey gives a different depth to the painting. Not that it is any worse or better, just different. I also love using purples for shadows also.
Sometimes the use of black is not always the best choice. This is where the art comes into play. As portrait artist, we do have to paint only what is there, not what you think is there. However, being an artist allows for your own opinion. Color can change the depth and emotional feeling to the painting and stop it from being photographic exactness (a whole different art), into your art, and your view of things.
So if you are willing to play around and make mistakes, use color in your low lights and interesting colors of contrast for shadow catch lights (the reflective lights in the shadows).
Lesson theme, play with color and enjoy the process.
These paintings were done on Derwent watercolor paper for watercolor pencils (A4), Dr PH Martin Bombay inks (background) and Windsor and Newton watercolor markers (the figures), Black ink, and white gel pen.