Beginning a Commissioned Portrait

To paint this large portrait (which will be 16 x 20), I begin by painting a practice piece. This practice will allow me to become familiar with the subject, push the light for shape and mentally prepare.

 Artist Note: This is a loose sketch on the back of a discarded painting. It is about 15 x 10. The first part of the portrait is a washy application of cobalt blue, viridian green and permanent rose.