This master study portrait painting, titled Joyful Child (After Kara Bullock), is based on a portrait lesson by artist Kara Bullock as part of Let’s Face It 2026. The original composition, reference image, and instructional guidance were provided by Kara as a structured teaching exercise. I created this painting as a portrait study to deepen my understanding of her approach to portrait painting, including color harmony, soft and hard edges, skin tones, and expressive brushwork.
Working on this larger-format painting was a refreshing creative reset during the midpoint of my 100 Faces portrait challenge. After completing many small 8” × 8” portrait studies, it was energizing to return to a larger canvas and explore more freedom, movement, and expressive painting techniques.
Master studies like this are an essential part of my ongoing artistic development. By studying contemporary portrait artists I admire, I continue to refine my skills in realistic portrait painting, improve my understanding of light and color, and strengthen my personal visual language. These studies directly inform and elevate my original portrait artwork. Ok