Thanks Mari, that technique sounds great and also to you Michael---I really want to look more into this verdaccio technique. I now underpaint in an umber study entirely and carry it to the point that it looks ok in itself and then to the "dead color" or grayed down local color so to speak along with linseed and onion layering between drying stages. I have been doing this technique for about 2 years now unlike the direct painting method. I did not do a completed underpainting years ago and I am finding that I know my direction much better with an underpainting.
This Verdaccio method sounds really better to me than burnt umber underneith for the skin tones. I must get more information about that.
Thanks again.