Leigh

[John Reidy]

Hello, Cynthia -

You've done a nice job understanding and handling Marvin's pallette (if I remember your first post correctly).

My philosophy as of this date is to let the background go soft and greyer (or bluer if outside) to keep it in the background.

[Cynthia Feustel]

John,

Thanks for your reply. I really had a hard time knowing what to do with the background.

And what a time I had choosing the palette. When I first found out I had this commission and it was to be in oil I started to research how to paint flesh tones. I ordered JH Sandens portrait paints and then to understand how to use them I ordered three of his videos. I just about spent more money on all this stuff than I got for the commission. I started the painting confused and bewildered and it just got worse. That is when I found the forum and I must say you all saved my sanity. After spending days reading everything I could here , I mixed up all my colors, started a new canvas and just painted away. It all just made sense to me. I still have a long way to go but at least I have started this journey.