[Karin Wells]

As an underpainting your study is much too dark. An underpainting is simply a first layer...a map to follow. The values need to be lighter because glazes and scumbles and opaque light will be layered on top. A dense dark layer underneath can make your top layers look "dead" and as you build light it will eventually upset the balance between light and dark.

As a value study you can get away with the overall darkness here as you continue to develop and refine the painting. Personally, I prefer a lighter and warmer value range. My painting of Mme. Ingres below illustrates how I would approach both an underpainting and a value study in one shot. Sorry I don't have a bigger picture for you.