She's on the Home Stretch!

Well this pastel is almost finished. This project was started about one year ago when I did the photo shoot with my models. This piece has definitely been a journey for me. I have not worked on it steadily every day, rather it has been put aside, then reconsidered, reworked and reexamined many times. It has gone through many stages throughout the creative process. First the initial charcoal drawing (the start of which is below), then a gouache under painting to block out basic color, then chalk pastel to flesh out the color, values and textures. As one can see there has been some editing as well.  At one point I took out the back piece of furniture with the globe and desk light after they had been almost completely finished at the pastel stage. I also took out the chair in the background at one point as well and I am also about to take out one of the white hangers in the foreground because I think it seems a little distracting. But I do see the finish line....hopefully today!