Ben

I cant picture the shirt but I dont think this image is missing anything. I think your gut feeling to stop when you did was probably right. Well done

I would say that this is definitely finished. The unfilled in shirt and restrain in detail allows one to focus on the face. Another fantastic portrait from you.

Happy New Year Duncan - you're off to a great start. I agree, it's finished! What colour is the Colourfix paper? I like the idea of "smoothing" the pastel with water.

Thank you Duncan for your kind comments. We would never say "I told you so"! The colour of my paper is velvet gray - Strathmore. I have only tried this paper with my two tone pastel but I like the colour because it is neutral and it's not too toothy. Yours must be more bluey than the photo suggests. It was a bit of shock to realise the other day that I hadn't done any drawings since September so started one - stopped owing to festivities and I haven't quite got back to it yet.

Thank you Paul, Thea, and Gudrun for your kind (and wise) comments. I have, as Gudrun, knows, gone ahead and tinkered with it despite your warnings. I did so because the full size painting was very, very messy (with paint runs and pastel smudges all over the place) and I don't think the photgraph I posted gave any real indication of that.