There are some great things about this painting. The shirt and tie have been drawn wonderfully. The face is porportionally correct and looks right. However the old bug bear of the lack of a correct likeness is still haunting me. There is definitely something lacking but I have no idea what it is. I used a soft 4B pencil to make the initial drawing thinking it would blend in well with the pastel. Unfortunately it did not at all. It made the pastel look dirty and in areas where I had added shading with the pencil then the pastel would not sit on the paper at all. This affects the ears and the right eye. The scanner has picked out the ochre colours and turned them quite yellow which is not in the original. But I am still making progress and the drawing is getting alot easier. The tie and shirt was drawn in a few minutes and is indicative of a freer hand that should make its way into the portrait eventually On to other matters. Am still having weekly battles with my ex husband. He still thinks that we can live on fresh air whilst he spends money on the children wining and dining them. I had to borrow food last week off my brother to feed the children. It really needs sorting out. The CSA are dealing with him and fingers crossed I should get some regular funds soon. Have enroled on a course to top up my degree. I have a foundation degree and need to do another year to get a Honours Education. Then I can teach hurrah.