Wonderful subject
Hanna,
You have a great subject here, let's see what could be done to improve it.
First of all, you do have to get control of your light sources. The one you want to emphasize is the candlelight on her face, even though the blue light is somewhat brighter.
Put your reference directly next to your work and squint to check your values. I would darken the backround and her face on the left. This would bring out the glow in her face and create more mystery. Blend her more into the background, let the figure just emerge.
Simplify the blue landscape outdoors. Follow the curtain reference more accurately, especially noticing the lovely blue from the background.
Your blues are too murky. When you start a picture you have to ask yourself a series of questions about the color. Is it complementary or analogous? Also, if complementary, what are they? What is the dominant one, what color is going to be the brightest and what is going to be most subdued? You have a tricky problem here as this is an orange and blue color scheme, the brightest color in your reference is blue, and it is not on your subject. Remember that for the future.
For now I would suggest. as to the window, get rid of the tree trunk, arch the trees on the right toward the face and have a brighter blue spot closer to her face. Bring some of the blue subtly onto her face, her chin, chest plane, etc. Note the gleam in her eye.
I would not have changed the angle of the window sill as it brings the viewer into the picture. It is also a great place to put some of that wonderful blue.
Look at Carravaggio and Vermeer for inspiration.
Sincerely,
|