It’s not yet working for me.
With this painting, which is oil over handmade cotton rag paper (from Two Rivers paper mill, Watchet, Somerset) I wanted a simple mother and child portrait. However the calf is all black and then I made the background too dark with my favoured dark burnt umber wash.
I ended up spoiling everything with a cloudy overlay, Now whilst I am waiting for all the layers to dry before committing any further I am contemplating my next move. I sense a new background layer is the only way forward.