Studio Work - Pastel: Sunflowers and Astromelias

I think this is the third time I've attempted to paint from this photograph I took a few years ago. I think it finally worked this time!

Process shots follow. I had a piece of 400 grit UArt sanded pastel paper which had been previously stained with a cyan gouache. I decided to draw the basic shapes using a Sharpie instead of a pencil.

I've been using thinned Acrylic Gesso in black and white to put in the darks and brights.It's been working for me. I kinda liked this graphic design and the colors.

After that dried, I then started with the color in pastels.

 I had planned to change the angle of the table to the left, but in the end, I put it back in the same angle as the photo.