Step 1

A figure/portrait painting I am starting - I have toned the canvas with Venetian Red. The background will be painted with a bluish green, but the VR will show through in places to harmonize with the same color of wrap she is wearing. This is a 16x20" canvas, I have done this much from a photo, but will try to get the model back to paint from life when I start adding color.

The drawing has been done using the sight-size approach, where the photo is positioned so that it looks the exact same size as the canvas. (the photo is much closer to me - the canvas is across the room and I must walk forward to make a mark each time.) I used vine charcoal and have indicated shadows.