Julie.

These are fantastic! They are so natural and alive. I especially love the way the girls' hair is rendered. You've found a perfect balance between loose, probing, mark-making and the more careful, deliberate rendering. Wow!

David

Ngaire - thanks! I really enjoyed doing the hair on no. 2 - guess the enjoyment seeped through.
You're right about the practice. I got to where I didn't need to measure things (other than one or two quick comparisons); just draw. I practiced a fair bit before the Christmas season, though, and my first few tries were horrible. Practice really made a difference.

And, wow, David, thanks for the kind words! I dont gravitate towards detailed renderings - seem to have some sort of "artistic ADHD" when it comes to that, so I try to give the gist.

Julie, you have been one busy lady! I favor number one in particular.

Isn't it interesting how the holiday rush forces us to learn to pick up the pace?!

Yeah, it's amazing what can be cranked out under pressure, but that pace could kill me if I kept up too long! It's nice having time to clean the house now (if I want to).