Painting children is always a tricky subject; it can be daunting to add shadows, fearing they might suddenly end up looking old—but light affects adults and children alike. Don’t be afraid to add contrast; just make sure to handle the transitions carefully so that the forms retain a soft, rounded appearance. Also, a dark background would really benefit this portrait. I didn’t have the original reference, so I used a different one instead—I hope that’s not an issue. I hope these notes are helpful!

