What a beautifully painted face! And the rest of the painting as well. The highlight that is on the left of the forehead and which runs down to her cheek is so perfectly done. That, and the eyes and the nose and the mouth...a VERY BIG CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you, Carlos.

Cindy, this is really an elegant and graceful painting, and not only for the subject.
There is elegance in the choice of colours, in the clarity of the light , in the balance of the composition, there is grace in the choice of the pose,in the handling of the clothes, in the economy of tones.
Great job
Ilaria

Thank you so much, Ilaria.

My thoughts exactly! She's just sitting naturally, a regular little girl with the charm of her individual personality in her expression. There's no feeling of "little girl in ballerina outfit" cliche. I love the way you have used blue in the shadows and repeated the pink and blue. Impressive and totally engaging!

Cindy this is certainly a Four Forums Thumbs Up! Bravo!

Side note to a moderator... this should be moved to the pro section.

Thanks Alex and Beth, for your kind words.

As sweet and perfect as she looks, this painting is so full of life! I feel that as soon as I looked away, her feet started swinging and her torso started twisting on the stool. And of course, I want to echo everything else already said. Lovely painting. Janet

Cindy, this is truly an exceptional portrait. As has already been said, you've managed to paint this little girl in a way that transcends all of the lesser qualities, the cliche's that are so often associated with this particular subject matter; ie., an overly cute or sentimental portrayal. My first reaction to this piece is not: "Oh, isn't she sweet and lovely" (though she certainly is), but rather, "what an incredible painting!!" I think when an artist can detach from - or at least subordinate - the easy emotions, the sentimentality that the subject (this subject in particular) prompts in all of us, and instead focuses first and foremost on mastering the requirements of the painting itself - as a painting - that's the beginning of greatness. Then, ironically, the subject matter - even a smiling child in a tutu - will have greater depth, gravity, emotion.

And this is a great painting.

Your best yet!