Sometimes drawing is painting

One of my latest projects started out from a sketch that I did of myself. I did several sketches that day, and didn't think too much more about it. Then I started watching untold hours of the British show "Portrait artist of the Year" and decided to try painting again! I liked the pose in the sketch, but I needed a color reference and a more interesting set up. I noticed the great shadows from our blinds and decided they would make for an interesting "texture" for a painting, so I took a reference photo

I then broke out my acrylic paints - be still my soul and quit your yearning for the smell and smoothness of oil paints. I do not want to fill our home with turpentine and oil smells, or chance the ruination of the rental property that is our abode. I also work fairly quickly, so acrylics help me not to over work as much. Finding a "Stay Wet" palette has also been a real life changer. So I began to paint. It was fun, and here is the result.