Another challenge!

30.5 cm x 40.6 cm

     I spent two hours on the girl's face and the whole morning the next day on her straw hat and the background.
     This piece is so far the one that I spent the most time with. And I didn't realize how hard it is to paint the face on the white paper until this time! The most challenging part is  that I was struggling to find the right tone. The variation in complexion is even more complicated when she wears the hat which causes the shadow, the darker tone beneath. I drew several faces before but none of them is as hard as this one. So there are pros and cons when I choose among the assorted colors of paper. Another serendipity!
     The whirling thing on the upper right is derived from the "Whirly Pop" candy I found at The Fresh Market. I particularly like the combination of the blue and mustard yellow. I've desired to paint something in courtesy of Van Gogh's Starry Night, and now I got the chance. Though this piece of work is not perfect in every ways, I make another breakthrough this time, which is worth noting.