Drawing for upcoming painting

Same drawing, two photos. The painting will be based on drawings. My goal is to learn to analyze and remember what I see, like artists had to do before photography.

Study for self-portrait

Half happy, half angry. Drawn with calligraphy pen.

Still life in progress

New self-portrait update

Break time! Think I'm overworking it.

Color Continues

This seems to be going well but I'm not sure how well. Or when to stop.

Grayscale layer. Check.

New Self-Portrait

I like it as is but want to try Freud's technique (as I understand it).

Wicked Wicker

So far so good.

Blending Study 2

Grade: B-

For this one, I used only Turpenoid as my medium. It works better.

Blending Study 1

Grade: D-

This is the first in a series of studies, the goal of which is to regain comfort with blending. I essentially gave up with this one and began adding distinguishable strokes to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal.

I tried a fan brush and found that, with this small of an image (12"x16" total), this brush doesn't work well and I am left with using either the latest brush I've loaded with paint or another brush that I set aside solely for blending.

Homage to Coffee

The composition is a bit unsettling but the overall painting is decent for an afternoon.

 

Step 1: Outline and block in composition

Step 2: Add darkest darks and detail to test effect 

Step 3: Continue detail of all objects

Step 4: Add background

This procedure may not be viewed as mature, as working in a general to specific manner is quicker and much less stressful with regard to proportions. However, experimenting with the process is fun and I like how this turned out.