Time Traveler Class-Colorist Portrait in Black Outfit

Okay, I'm starting on the colorist portrait, and I don't usually copy what the teacher (Ce Duff) is painting in classes (this portrait is inspired by the Scottish colorist, Frances Campbell Boileau Cadell/ CA Cadell), but this time I decided to, although I'm sure it will look nothing like hers when it's finished. For one thing, I couldn't copy anything exactly, if my life depended on it, and, as I've mentioned before, I have difficulty drawing/painting what I'm looking at. But here goes! 

I'm painting it in my 8" x 10" mixed media sketchbook in acrylics, and I'm trying to copy the teacher's image, which is a combo of a few images. My first attempt at sketching the image with a Stabilo pencil on the gray background has already taken a detour, because I wasn't paying attention and got her too far to the left, plus the proportions are off in a number of places, but I decided to leave her where she is, since it's a practice piece, and I'm really interested in painting the color black. The background objects will just have to be on the right instead of the left side of the head in the finished portrait. 😳

I've gone over the Stabilo pencil with a water brush pen to try to establish some darks here. She looks terrible! The off places really showed up!

I tried to adjust the drawing, especially her face and hat by taking an alcohol pad and taking off part of the hat and all the pencil marks where I had re-adjusted so much that I couldn't tell what was what, and re-sketched most of it. Still not happy with her, her left shoulder is really bothering me, but I'm going forth with the base layers of paint. Maybe, I can correct her some as I paint. Not a good idea, I know, but here I go! 

The first paint layer is in place, plus a second layer of black on the coat and hat. The background is not actually blue!

I've sketched in a vase and flowers on a shelf in the background with a white pastel pencil. I also included a small cedar chest that my dad made for me when I was little.

Here I've started to add some color, and I'm trying to decide on just a little something on the shelf on the other side. I tried a few ideas that didn't work. Also, the teacher decided to remove the little bar decorations from the dress front, so I did too. I kind of liked them though?

More color added, and a bit of pattern. I kind of messed up her eyes, so decided to have them closed. Trying to form flowers. 

Continuing to adjust everything. I like the little smile on her face, kind of like she's thinking of something secretive.

In my adjusting everything, I lost the quirky grin, which I regret, but I lost the too light highlights on the hat and collars too, which I like. I decided on a couple of flower petals on the shelf. 

After much fretting and fiddling with colors, shading, etc., I am calling her done! I realize that the petals on the shelf are too big, but since this is a learning piece in my 8 x 10 in sketchbook, I'm not going to fret about her. She taught me a lot, and I loved every minute that I worked on her. Acrylics on mixed media paper. I did put her little smile back. She has a secret! 

Sorry about the picture quality. The light kind of glared on it. I'm thinking I need to replace my really old camera, or perhaps the photographer. 😏

Now on to the bonus class, which I have already done a lot on. It's a lot different and more colorful than this one, and just as interesting! I love this course! 

Keep creating and doing the things you love! It's good for your soul!