NO FREAKING OUT ALLOWED- UGLY AHEAD

 I try to warn my students (and always tell myself) that there is going to be a period of time in every painting that is the "ugly stage". The stage where you are sure it should be thrown away, or that you should put down the brushes and never pick them up again. 

So - I want you all to know that this posting is of UGLY - no way around it. Not that the people in this painting are ugly - far from it...they are all very good looking! But they are just growing into their beauty in this portrait painting business...a bit at a time. :-) And right now they are ugly....next week they will be much better!