Since I am almost finished with the miniatures I decided to try to wrap up this birthday image too. Since the whole painting is about the candle glow, I am concentrating on all the chiaroscuro effects to heighten the bright light. This is a great challenge. If you have never done this, just keep in mind that the light will not look bright if there is no contrast. I begin with the basic image, then I use darker colors to darken areas that are opposite the light. Now, in places that are really dark, I do not choose black. Instead, I mix shades that will darken without killing the reality of the factual color. For instance, the purple icing is facing us but is opposite the candle light. Our brain must know the purple is still there and in reality, the ambient light would let us perceive this. I will go darker and darker till it seems right. When painting darkened Caucasian skin it can be quite difficult to darken it without making it look like the skin has changed color. Just know that our brain will over ride that dirty blotchiness. It will read as shadowed skin. I’m also having trouble with darkening the side of the cake with white icing. Paying attention to shadows and candle brightness reflecting on it will help. I’ll show this again when it is finished. This is two days in a row where I have experienced loss of vision because of brief migraines ( one to two hours). That makes portrait features tough to paint. But, I consider myself blessed because I don’t get these often and they don’t make me sick. Blessings to all of you who have those things to deal with. Shalom, Diana