Self Portrait stages

I sit down at my easel with a small mirror on my easel as well; the painting will take place during the cool daylight from the north-facing window in the living room.  I start by showing you the underpainting completed with Transparent Red Oxide.  It is a basic block-in to establish the form.  I have used a brush with turpentine and a cloth to wipe out some of the lights.

Next, I start to build up some of the light areas with Flake White, a weak mixing white, to further establish the form.

I continue to build the form by blocking in patches of color that I identify throughout my face.  I have also added a background color to set apart the subject.

I further refine the patches of color by mixing areas wet into wet while continuing to refine the shapes.

Here I have refined the color shapes even further and the painting is beginning to become life-like.  I have also decided against the dark background in favor of the warm wooden crate behind me in the mirror to offset the cool tones in my shirt and face.

Here is a view of the full wood panel.  After another session, this painting should be complete, but I may spend extra time refining and attaining the most life-like expression of the form I can muster.

Here I am further refining the shadows and the hair.

Nearly at the finish.  I think one more session should do it.

Here the portrait is complete after around 70 to 80 hours of work.

Here is a closer look at the detail.