Practice - Updated May 15th

This effort is based on the painting of a noble woman by an artist that no information is available about nor is the date of its creation known.

In this practice piece, the sketch and hair has been done with mechanical pencil (HB core). It was then painted in with Japanese watercolors. Embellishments have been added with a white Uni-Ball Signo pen and silver Sakura Pen-Touch marker.

Overall, I'm pleased with the effort. Though I am aware that the head is a bit too small for the neck/body.

I'm liking the gradation of color used for the background especially the Indian Red that is the darkest color (maroon-like) in this piece. I'm also liking how the ruffs came out after 'setting' the colors below. They were then painted in with a white watercolor--thinned a bit more than normal.

Update - The head has been slightly altered as well as one of the eyes and the top lip. Does this make a perceptible improvement in the overall look of the piece (photo below)?

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