Portrait problems..

I learned about colors to mix for a face after I had started painting the face on the left. ( Richard,  Bob's dad)  His face was hard to do anyway.  So I worked on Bob's face and his mom's and it really improved.  You are suppose to start with a white face.  But I had flesh color paint to work off of also.  But you aren't suppose to paint the whole face after the white.  Just add strokes for depth etc.  Ush.. I have a long way to go to get it right.  I have to say I put the  photo in my light box to get the  drawing correct, since that wasn't my goal.  My goal was to paint a face and have it sort of look like the person I wanted to paint.  And to get this finished and dry so Bob could give it to his parents from me.  My critic was Bob mainly, and the problems he pointed out were a great help.  I will take it to Tuesday painting to see their reaction next week.   Having advise and comments from other painters is so necessary I think.  Another set of eyes really helps.