Finally, I added thicker layers of paint over the wash, building up the figures until the desired results were in place. I decided to add an "orangy" background in order to make Prince Valiant's tunic pop up a bit more.

I then transferred that drawing to tracing paper, and from there transferred it to the illustration board using carbon paper. Once that was done, I sealed the drawing with "Fluid Matte Medium", an acrilic sealant, then blocked in the colors with a transparent wash, allowing it to dry before committing to the final approach.

After taking several reference pictures, I chose the best ones and drew from them in order to achieve the right composition. I then added value as a way to visualize how color is going to be applied in the final version. I have yet to decide on a background design for this illo.

Once the value study is completed, I then put a large piece of tracing paper over it and copied the line work onto it...

 

... then I transferred that drawing on an illustration board, 16" x 20". Then I sealed the drawing with a coat of Fluid Matte Medium. This serves two purposes; one, it protect the original line work,and two, it serves as a medium for oil colors to be applied to.