"Ashes" WIP

Ok, so, full disclosure, this piece is giving me a lot of trouble, haha!

I am really keen to paint this concept, but the dramatic nature of it is proving rather tricky to portray!

Lately, I have been feeling like, as much as I am enjoying the work I am producing, I am not achieving the full potential within the concepts...If that makes sense....I can't help but feel like I could portray my ideas even better if I took a little more time researching it in the first draft stages. 

This is not coming at the right time, since I had planned to have at least 3 paintings done for the Florida show already, and I haven't even managed to fit even just one in yet! Typical, hahaha. 

But anyway, I decided to take my time with this painting, because the concept is important to me, and I really want to be proud of the finished product. 

My main challenges are the character's features, and the lighting. 

As you can see, I have been experimenting with the character quite a bit, and have taken a bunch of notes as I went along.
Human character design has been an issue I've been struggling with in my work quite a bit as of late, as I am not happy with how I draw my human faces. I feel like they lack personality, and I feel restricted by my lack of practice with them. I have the firm intention to do more extensive studies and sketches as soon as my schedule relents somewhat. 

The very last sketch is the one I am most happy with, and taking my time to sketch out various ideas has really helped me visualise what I like and don't like about how I draw faces better. 

I also attempted a painting study in gouache, but it was at that point that I started struggling a bit, and realised I wasn't in the right mind-set to work at all, and needed to prioritize packing and sorting my life out first.
I could tell that that was what was happening because I literally dreaded sitting down in front of my paper to try and paint, and it was triggering a lot more anxiety in me than usual. I am not very good at it, but I have been trying to listen to those signs in me more, so as to avoid burning out completely. 

The good thing about this little painting study, was that, even without coming anywhere near a result I liked, in fact, even while hating what I was doing, I started to visualise how I wanted to paint the piece, and I now have a pretty precise idea of my values, and what details I want to include.
So a useful session despite it all! :)

This research process, although clouded by anxiety and move related stress, has been incredibly interesting and beneficial, and has definitely helped me highlight different aspects of my work I want to enhance or change.
I am very happy I have been taking a bit more time to explore the concept before diving into the full painting, even though it might not be the most ideal time for me to do so. My practice and work are really benefiting from this and, ultimately, I think that will bear good fruits in the future. 

I am happy with my sketch, so the next step will be to attempt another colour comp/study, and I am thinking of trying to use my Acryla gouache this time. I want a layered, brushstroke look, with high contrast and a varied colour palette (although all in the yellow, orange, reds, purples and blues ideally). 

And then, onto the painting. :)

I am hoping that all this practice and research work will make the final piece an easier, smoother task. 

Here's to hoping I didn't jinx myself, hehehe...