The Orchid Odalisque [OO]: Today, head study.

I'm working towards a pastel painting called The Orchid Odalisque. The model is a friend who hunts orchids, so the final piece will include orchids native to the Virginia counties she was born in and now lives in. Since I haven't done any substantial pastel work in many years, I'm practically having to start from near scratch, testing various techniques, re-honing some drawing skills, trying pastel figurative work for the first time, etc. I'm going to have to invent some elements to include the orchids as textiles and possibly a carved wood and/or other prop elements, which will also be new for me; I'm used to working from life or photo, not from my imagination. Today I want to start a detailed head study to further myself down this path.