As an acrylic painter, and a rather active individual I usually will sit down to a canvas and after only a couple hours call it finished and good.  However this painting was an exception.

 

My goal was to create the most lifelike painting I had the skill to do. Copying the general form and subject from a painting by Dominic Guardo. Through it I learned more than I can even confess, especially in the realm of shading and contrast! The final product still makes me smile.

 

Her eyes ended up conveying an expression I wasn't even working towards!

And I suppose that is the beauty of art.