16x20 oil - two more steps

Step 2 (above)  

In my last post, the beginning thoughts for this painting were very faintly roughed in with a pale oil wash. In this photo I have added the darkest darks. 

Now I ask myself, "Is the composition of the darkest value pleasing to me?" 

Step 3 (below) 

I have softened the value transitions. I am not using reference material so I really don't know how the finished scene will look. I'm working by intuition and emotion. Now I will set this aside and do a small pastel color study to guide me in the completion of this 16x20 oil painting. No title comes to mind yet.