Nathan, I have some suggestions as to how to best pose and light the portrait you plan to paint of your mother. The most flattering light for a woman "past a certain age" is close to frontal. That is, almost directly behind the camera or artist, if you're working from life.
I say "almost" directly behind because you want some shadows to establish the form, unlike light from a flash which is absolutely directly frontal, and would not be recommended.
Also, the larger the light source the better (a large window, for example). That will reduce the contrast ratio and be the most flattering.
A good pose for someone with a full chin is to have them leaning forward slightly with your viewpoint slightly above them.
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