Hi Steve, nice progress That's the way I do: without any sketches I immediately block in and then I use as much colors as I can similar as you did in the first stage but I tend to blend the brushstrokes a lot more (that's the very first blending, the most aggressive one), then I blend with the "hard out smudge" knife, when done it's time to go back to the brushes a bit to touch up things, them go back with the knife again and then it's the turn of the frosting and blur knifes and finally I go back with the hard out smudge again to get a clearer picture. In the whole process some things are deliberately left rough and loose to keep the painted feel. Keep it going!!
Thanks Andrea....
Following your advise, and greatly appreciate all of it!
I need it! You know my dark, half blended work. Which may be
my natural style.
Thank you too, Jmac....
I'm seen your work! Beautiful painting, I'm looking for that farm with the horses!
*Continuing on!
Just more blending, worked on ears, mouth and eyes.
Dreading really finishing hair and tweaking the eyes'!
But, really enjoying doing this practice!