Some Explaining To Do

Yesterday I painted a rose in a value color  swap out. In other words I painted it as if color did not matter only value did. I liked the result of pure color but the values were too unorganized so I today. I simplified the value patterns and stayed true to the color of the original rose. I think I have a more cohesive whole. You can see all the value dabs I made before I applied the color shapes. This can be slow deliberate work . More like solving a math problem than like an expression of ones self. 

What I have learned so far: 
It is good to explore patterns and simplify them. Less is more when the eye wants a place to rest . Find the key lightest lights and the darkest darks. I think John Singer Sargent called that the "effect". Well I don't know about the effect but I do know he was one of the greatest painters of all time and if I can explore what he was after I am on a good quest. 
Below you will see yesterday's rose which was necessary in order to organize and paint today's
​