Linda,

This is a beautiful portrait.

I hope you will tolerate one suggestion which would be simple to execute.

Look in the area of the girl's right shoulder. In particular, the way the vest comes up and away from the top of the shoulder. In my opinion this is giving the illusion of a little girl who is a bit too thick. If you look at it back and forth to the photo it's obvious what has happened.

I think if you would flatten down the vest (take some of the air out of it) to just slightly off the shoulder, and keep the darker value at its edge, the little girl will not look quite so bulky. As I see the modification in my photo editor it seems to read better.

Nice painting, Linda.

Thank you very much Jean, Sharon, Beth, and Mike for the kind words. They are greatly appreciated.

Mike, the jumper that she is wearing is way to big for her. It's actually one of mine. You are right that I should just take some of it away. It will be better if I do.

My dad died today. He has been declining and had been in a nursing home for three weeks, but it's still a shock. I will probably not be doing much painting for the next few days. But I'll be back when things get back to normal and I finish this.

Thanks again.

Edges
 

Echoing the praise of others, I think this is beautifully composed and executed. The edge treatment will surely add to the treat! Please post finished product.

Thank you Jeanine, I "will" post the finished product.