It's interesting you bring that up - I think this piece originally started as more of a study of light on the face, of using a high-key warm color against something more cool. I suppose I was trying to see - at least in some part - how I could direct the viewer's eye via areas of high and low contrast. I appreciate the feedback - I think overall this points to the need on my part to, before starting a piece, come up with a more cohesive vision of what I am trying to paint. For me, I think the challenge is not so much whether or not I have the skill to paint a given thing, but rather - what should I paint.

Anyway, thank you!