The importance of a well sketched under-painting

By James Doherty

Painting has been a passion of mine for years I would only do light rough sketches in turp and burnt sienna. Since I have been sketching more in charcoal and using them as my under paintings I can see a huge improvement in my finished paintings.

The sketch I submitted is of Madame Du Barry she was the last mistress of king Louise the XV of France and was considered a fashion icon for more than 20 years until she became a victim of the French Revolution.