Continuing work on the portrait

I've continued with the flesh tones in her face, building up values carefully not to darken her skin tones too much. Next I moved onto her eyes, eyelashes and eyebrows. For her pupils, I used Sepia and Warm Gray 90% as I found Black to be too strong and harsh. I worked the irises by layering Goldenrod, Burnt Ochre, Sienna Brown, Dark Brown, Sepia and Warm Gray 90%. I added a bit of Tuscan red to make her eyes pop but just slightly so I can erase it if it becomes overpowering. Eyelashes and eyebrows were worked in Dark Brown, Sepia and Warm Gray 90% very softly. I found if I applied the eyelashes to darkly, it looks as if she is wearing black mascara.

I'm breaking the portrait into workable parts so I don't get overwhelmed. Its approximately 15x20" which is larger than life (the way I like to work). I was ... and still am ... afraid that if I don't get the eyes just right, I can ruin the whole portrait because her eyes portray all the feeling in the piece. Now I am moving onto the hair. The left side is quite dark. I used Dark Umber, Sepia, Black, Chestnut and Prismacolor Lightfast Indanthrone Blue, which I prefer to Indigo because its a rich dark blue and less acidy than Indigo. I have more work to do on the left side but I have decided to leave it alone for now. I'm beginning the highlights in her hair with Clay Rose. Her chestnut brown hair has subtle highlights of reds and violets and so many strands. I'm finding it quite a challenge.