This portrait study was painted as part of my continued exploration of expressive portraiture through a class with artist Kara Bullock.

I was drawn to the child’s joyful expression and the challenge of capturing that sense of spontaneity without overworking the painting. The study gave me an opportunity to focus on confident brushwork, color, and the subtle shifts of light and shadow that bring a face to life.

Master studies are an important part of my growth as an artist. By studying the work and techniques of painters I admire, I continue to develop a more confident and expressive approach to portraiture while finding my own voice.

Painted after Kara Bullock as an educational study.