Starting with the hair I apply the first application of oil over the previously completed acrylic sketch. When working from a photo I find that it helps to paint upsidedown, as that forces me to drop my assumptions and only paint actual colors and shapes.
If you think this is messy, you should see what's behind me.
Portrait of an Australian.
Many times I'll just squeeze paint directly onto the canvas.
The unfinished portrait.
I'll let this dry as much as it will overnight (I paint with quick drying, water based oils) and apply a second application tomorrow.
Now, back to unicorns.
