I started out with a sketch using a graphite pencil, just to get in the forms and shapes before I started adding paint.
Next we can mix up a few shades of gray on our palette, starting with the darkest tones. I’m only using three colors at this point, Titanium white, Payne’s gray and just a touch of Cadmium red.
Note: I just add the Cadmium red to certain areas of her face like her cheeks, lips, under her eyes and the tip of her nose.
Remember to look at your reference photo to seek out the light source and add lighter tones where the light hits, and where the planes of the face protrude a bit, like the brow and cheek bones, the chin and nose, her collar bone, the fingertips, etc. It can be easier if you use a black and white photo.
Once I have the whole first layer down (I’m making sure there are no white parts of the canvas paper showing through) I move on to the second layer, applying it in much the same tones, just a little bit lighter now (as you can see on the left side of her face).