Thanks Garth! (or is it Jerome??)
We caught that same little mischievous half smile in several of the shots from the original reference shoot, so I had a pretty good idea that it was a characteristic expression for this little girl. The attempted reshoot for better lighting was tagged onto the tail end of a photo session for her brother... not the best idea! :bewildere

Couldn't help myself...
 

After finishing her brother and trying them side by side... I just had to freshen the colors in her face a bit. :bewildere
OK. I think I'm really done now.

Hi, Terri! Chiming in late here - these are a lot softer than the father/daughter painting you did recently, but they're still beautifully done. I especially like the girl and her expression, although I'm sure the parents will be extremely pleased with both paintings.

It's really interesting to watch you develop and change!

I know I am way behind as well but being new I couldn't resist letting you know how beautiful this is to me. You really have a knack among other things for the softness of children's skin (I am jealous of them). Simply put, it is lovely.

Leslie, Lisa, thanks... caught me by surprise to see replies to this today! Delivered both paintings to the client a week and a half ago... but it makes my day to hear that you both like this one.

Leslie, I'm not sure that it's that much softer in life (certainly I didn't go as dark on her face as the shadows in the Dad's on the other, but I'm not sure if that's what you mean?)

Terri, I think what I'm reacting to is the softness of the lines and edges; they seemed more defined in the father/daughter painting, and certainly in your other work. Which is not to say that one is more appealing than the other - it's just different. Can't wait to see what you do in your next one!