Yes! Still alive.
On with plate 27. I’m trying to stick closer to the book’s recommended approach on this one, so after the refining of the outline, the next step is to block first the shadows, which I’ve done, and then the halftones, which I’m about half done with. From a distance, these look OK, but they’re very scratchy and rough up close, so next I’m going to have to stump it down to smooth it out, then continue to refine the shading. The last phase will be to bring some subtle linework back to it, once the shading is all correct.
There’s a lot of anatomy to be covering here, too… it’s a jump from the foot to the entire leg. I do think, though, that the leg overall is probably no harder than the foot, at least in terms of bones and muscles. The leg has 3 bones; the foot has 26.
and then the halftones, which I’m about half done
I see what you did there!
Have you considered accessorizing the leg? An ankle bracelet or a toe ring may liven up Bargue’s dreary image.
If you weren’t already going to hell, you’re headed there now.