Step 1: Sketch the face. This is the most important part if one small line of the face is a few millimetres out, it can change a persons expression massively

Step 2: The skin tone/colour it can take hours of mixing and a fortune in oil paint to get the tone you are looking for

Step 3: Getting a base layer of skin tone around the majority of the face

Step 4: Shadows and definition

Step 5: The eyes. If the eyes aren't following you around the room then they need more work done!!

Step 6: Hair, this is often an area that can ruin a portrait. Its vital to show movement in the oil to avoid the appearance of a flat shaped skull

Step 6: The finishing touches. The clothes, more work on the eyes and tidy up before the long drying period