Monochromatic Restricted Value with Acrylic Paint

The following is a simple 30 minute demo showing how four tints of red acrylic paint are used to block out restricted value shapes in paint. Naturalism depends upon proportional accuracy and also on a certain fuzziness around the perimeter of each value shape. The following example achieves proportional accuracy but does not attempt to soften or blend the edges of each shape, giving it a hard-edged, illustrative feel.   

Step 01: Basic proportions of subject found with light gesture and intercross in graphite

Step 02: The two midterms are determined and the one that occupies the greatest surface area is applied (value 2). This color blocks out the majority of the shape to be painted. Onto the surface area of value 2, value 3 is painted (hair, nostrils, lips, eyes, shadow on cheek and neck). The two tones do not yet create a convincing three-dimensional presence.

Step 03: The absolute darkest and lightest values (4 and 1) occupy less surface area in the image and are the "details" that are applied last (highlights on face and texture in hair) on top of values 2 and 3 from the previous step.  The four tones working in conjunction create a more believable three-dimensional likeness.