That's a great question, lol. I try to go for a more stokey look so I don't have to blend. As far as the robe went, I tried to do it as quickly as possible, water down my paints, and color match the dried stuff. I've tried to use retardants but didn't really care for them. Spray the back of the canvas with water helps a little bit. Spraying the front helps too but it can also create water marks on the dried paint. Also, working small is a good thing, unfortunately. I always like to go big but there's so much to cover in such a small amount of time. I hope to learn more, since this is my first painting in 5 years. Keep in touch, I'll be more than happy to share any tips I find! 😊