X-men - Dark Phoenix painting

I've decided to start oil painting again (i haven't painted in ten years). For my comeback attempt, I've decided to do the Phoenix character from the X-men. Why did i decide to do this the dark phoenix character? The character represented some challenges (I really wanted to do paint flames and i like the costume design of the character. Combining these two elements would make for an interesting painting.).


Step 1: Preparing the surface for painting.
I use illustration board gessoed a number of times on both sides backed by a heavy foamcore board. The reason for this is that I have a very tight style and canvas doesn't afford me the luxury to get real small detail into my paintings. Dig the picture below of me in my messy studio preparing the board.



Once the board is dry, it is time to the underdrawing.


Step 2: The drawing underneath the painting.
I always do a drawing underneath the painting. This is a technique I picked up when I was going to School of Visual Arts in New York City. All my illustrator friends who had similar styles to me were doing it, and I also decide to do it. Pictures of the drawing ...