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Even after reading [books] and watching ... videos I felt like when I was finally presented with the real life situation, everything was so much harder to grasp
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And that understanding alone will greatly advance your training, Doreen. Even the best books and videos can only take you so far, as they'll teach you
about drawing and painting. If you want to learn
how to draw and paint, you have to stand in front of your easel and draw and paint.
Early efforts typically come with frustration, as they cannot possibly measure up to the quality of the pieces and the production values you've been watching and reading about. After a few dozen such efforts, though, all that you've learned from your studies will begin to come together.
The thing most notably missing in the painting and without which you can't go any further, is value. You're in a double bind, too, because you really have to shop around to find good darks in pastel. If you squint at your painting, the figure flattens quickly and disappears, because there are no value shapes to give the figure its natural form.
Beth's suggestions are good. The Whitaker recommended
cast drawing exercises would be very useful, as would careful reading of Forum discussions on
value massing. Have a look at the Asaro
"Planes of the Head" model here. Note how dynamically the form is described by those value shapes, in that range of value.
Do this work in charcoal. Leave the color challenge for later. Until value is under control, color won't help.
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