I have begun the painting of the 'food' with the closer patrons in the restaurant. Highlights will be added a little later as I find that when oil is wet it tends to dull the highlights because the paint underneath compromises the paint on top as, so, reduces the contrast.
I find that, making a shirt appear white and yet still reflect the colour of the lights and interesting adventure in paint also, making an object look like the material that it is made from e.g. the metal drinking container and the glass salt cellar. (see detail)

Additions to the crowd.
What I find very different between watercolours and oils, besides the binder medium, is the use or non-use of white paint. I don't need to use white with watercolour paints, which allows me to retain the vibrancy of the colour. With oil colour, I need to use white and this makes creating the 'light' effect and retaining the colour value more difficult.
Having said that, I am very happy with the progress that I am making.

The adoring crowd are beginning to appear. Highlights to be added later.

The task of mixing flesh colours that are changed by the effect of neon lights, is interesting for me. I have always been fascinated observing the effects of light on colour. The difficulty comes with the use of paint! Paint tends to 'flatten' unless there is good contrast but, to lighten a colour with oils requires the addition of white, which I never do when using watercolours. That being said, I am quite happy with the result so far.
Just a small change in shape can make all the difference. I was unhappy with the open singer's mouth but 'slept on it' and made a small alteration to accentuate his bottom lip which, I feel, is an improvement.

I have resumed painting after a welcome seasonal break with family over Christmas and New Year celebrations. The figures on the balcony of the cafe in New York are providing a constant challenge which I am enjoying. Though I want an accurate picture of the event and the atmosphere of the occasion, I do not want an exact photographic representation, so working wet in wet gives a somewhat blurred image. This announces that it is, in fact, a painting.