[Chris Saper]

Hi, Beth.

Just a note of clarification. I rely on a three-value thumbnail in order to establish a framework for the design and composition. I think paintings work better with fewer rather than more values. Sometimes the finished work sticks very close to three values, but more frequently five, sometimes more. I know from past experience, when I see I have a surface that's visually weak, it's usually because my values have gotten out of control.

Also, my terre verte drawing is not a true underpainting, it's really just a monochromatic sketch. I am not a glaze painter and have no experience with the type of technique used by Karin, Michael Georges, and others.

Good luck,