So today I have this art that is based on the artist Tamara de Lempicka. She is known for her Art Deco style paintings of women and various subjects. I have always liked her art and stylized figures. This is my drawing that I will be painting over with transparent oils. And building up to some opaque parts so I can layer on the highlights. I start with design sketches of the pose and work out ideas for the background pattern. I wanted the backgrounds on this set to all the same theme and look. Like it`s wallpaper or a room panel with art on it. This is certainly more in the area of my main interests with the Art Deco influence and the stylized figure. The drawing is 9x17 and all graphite on Saunders Waterford hot press watercolor paper. The surface of this paper is great for drawing and the dark areas do not get all slick. The paper can hold a lot of graphite so the darks are nice. I will first do my color comps on the computer and then when I decide on a color palette I can use that as a guide to start the painting. I have another one like this started and plan on doing at least three at this same size and style.