Marvin,
Not meaning to start an under-painting versus ala prima argument - when I spoke of under-painting I should have been more specific to say using a grisaile, or verdaccio, type underpainting. I don't use either of those methods, although, I have been tempted to try to learn them, nor do I paint in a strict ala prima. I generally build dark to lights, thin to thick using a combination of scumbling, glazing and just plain laying on of paint. I'm still learning, so I use whatever works and make discoveries along the way.
When the original poster spoke of working in layers, I immediately thought of the verdaccio and glazing method, whether that is what he meant, or not, and I simply was trying to encourage him to paint.
Thanks for the unfinished Sargent painting! I haven't seen it before and it's quite inspirational - as is all of his work.
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