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Patt,
I posted this on another thread on how to get a likeness. This may come as a surprise to you but I think you should get a blowup to the size you want to paint and trace it. Put a piece of transparent cellophane on the photo and copy the color. You will learn a lot about form and turn this painting out in a jig.
Many portrait artists trace and project, not all, but even some of the good ones. I was at a dinner with one well known one and he told me did. His paintings were quite accomplished. Many years ago when I was first starting I did this too. This is NOT a good way to start a portrait or figurative career, knowing what I know today, I would not do it that way. There were no ateliers around when I started so I took any path I could.
Most people just want a likeness. Just get it done. Then I would suggest you brush up on your drawing and painting skills from life. Do Bargues, whatever. most good portrait artists worth their salt can paint the same subject from life, but choose to take shortcuts. Projectors and tracing machines have been around for centuries.
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