Garth,

Wonderfully done. I too love the pose. The cropped photo is a little more dramatic, but it works wonderfully either way. Keep the brushes moving.

Garth,

You have done an especially nice job with the cast shadow on that little finger - it very successfully defines the form of the cheek.

That's a pose with an interesting psychology, and beautifully treated. The lighting enhances the mood to a great degree, and reminds me somewhat of the followers of Caravaggio.