Ugly is relative
What is ugly to you may not necessarily look ugly to your client. I always explain that the painting is in an early stage and I will be building up layers and improving the look of the painting as time goes by. Also I will have the head laid in (from a combination of my initial study from life and my reference photos). The painting needs to be built up to a point where it makes sense to begin the subtle color changes indicative of a living complexion and warrant a life sitting. The complexion needs something to be related to.
The reason I am a modern master is because I had the good fortune to meet Fred Ross and he liked my work. I still have to develop my paintings one brushstroke stoke at a time, just like everyone else.
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