Commissioned oil portrait "Swantje" (+ STEPS)

Hello Steemians,

today I'd like to share my procces of creating oil portrait. The size is 33x43 cm, support is Belgian oil primed linen, finest grain. It was a commission so likeness was one of the main concerns for me. That's why I was concentrated on preliminary drawing with raw umber more than I usually do while doing studies or sketches:

After I've reached some satisfaction with the likeness I left it to dry for a short time. When surface is dry enough I started to paint the first, block-in, layer, thinking mostly about big shapes and average colors:

My pallete for this painting was: Titanium White, Yellow Brown, Transparent Oxide Red, Sennellier Red, Permanent Alizarin, Raw Umber, Ultramarin Blue and Ivory Black

Gradually from top to the bottom I fill the shapes with appropriate complexion colors. This stage is most time consuming but I really enjoy it - you see how slowly something looking rather like a zombie reanimating on the canvas and starting to look more like someone alive

When the first level of the face is ready I suggest the background with broad strokes and leave it to dry. Here is the end of Day 1 stage:

Few days later I brought this portrait back to easel. First, I've realized that background is bothering me so I went further with it. When background was better for me I continued with the face - gently I was trying to refine as fine as possible forms and shapes. This day I spent less than one hour on this painting.

Final day - retouching, refinement and fiddling with background

After introducing some temperature shifts here and there and working more on the eyes it seems I can call it finished, or, at least pre-finished :) You never know... Will varnish and sign it in a few days, pack and send this portrait to client.

Hope you dig it!