Artist Reply: Thank you!

Artist Reply: Thanks, Renata. I'd just like to add that I really appreciate your consistent encouragement. It's incredibly helpful.

Artist Reply: Hey, Leah, thanks! I might make prints of it at deviantArt--someone requested that (my mind boggles, but who am I to argue? I'm all for a fanbase, should it ever happen... *laugh!*.)

Artist Reply: Thank you, Sharon! I'm happy to be my own worst critic, actually. *chuckle* Helps me choose direction, move... I do forget sometimes to praise myself in balance, true. I think very highly of constructive criticism: ways to improve, noticing what has worked and what could have been done differently. I got some great criticism from two folks in Enchanted Folk about this piece, actually -- they gave me advice on composition (on larger paper, this would be more powerful uncentered); contrast and techniques for getting there (masking highlights, working shadows, then working midtones); and on glazing carefully, so layers don't look layered. (The two are Mariane Mathiasen and Cosby Gibson; I mention them to encourage folks to look at their work by way of thank yous for their detailed comments. I hope I can give such good help to others, someday. Anyway! I just got carried away in this reply. Please forgive me for cluttering up your inbox!