Hi Scott and Linda,
I'm really enjoying this discussion and seeing your work.
Scott, if you have the time, I for one would love to see a step by step demo of this technique. (I'm wondering if you're actually building up a bas-relief underpainting. Fascinating!) How about posting it in the "Portrait Demonstration" category:
http://forum.portraitartist.com/foru...?s=&forumid=86
Linda, I would love to see what you do with your paintings, they're beautiful.