Golden Rose-Dead Layer Stage 1

As you can see from my work in progress, I painted right over the Burnt Umber stage.   I looked at my black and white picture printed from my lazer jet printer.  (I know you mighta' thought I painted this from my imagination...nope!)

To get the dead layer I mixed Ivory Black with Prussian Blue, Yellow Ochre, and Burnt Umber for what is known as an "optical black,"  (which is not really black, but more of a really dark blue).  I mixed an equal amount of Titanium White, with Flake White.  I then mixed these two combinations together on my palatte.  I painted darkest areas first, then light and then mid-tones and blended it with a "dry" brush.  

For the record, I do not like the composition of this picture.