Currently on the easel

I seem to never just have one painting going at a given time. I am currently working on two commissions. This is one of them. I am probably 2/3rds of the way to a finished painting at this point.The first few days on this painting went beautifully. Now I am down to the last cat and he is being a bit difficult. Seems I just can't satisfy myself with the look on his face. This is quite common for me, I am such a perfectionist.
So, I will turn the painting to the wall for a few days and work on something else for a bit. I find that when I return to the painting in a few days after a brief break, I spot right off what is lacking in the painting. It really helps to look at things with fresh eyes.

Picasso & I update

As you can see, I am not a photographer, otherwise there would not be the flash reflection in the top and the door behind me would not look bowed. But, I am quite pleased with my progress. I think the likeness is really good now and my hair is not matching my outfit any longer. "Are you happy now, Ryan?"

I still can't figure out why my work looks like a cartoon to me. I wonder if it is a flatness that I don't see until a picture is taken. I will work on that today. Sometimes I think I should have gone to work for Disney. Oh well, at least Picasso is beautiful.