Katie in the sun by Ellie Hart

I think this delightful portrait looks good as it is. An overall bright sunshine appearance. Beautiful.

It's beautiful Ellie, I would leave it just as it is.

I too think it looks good as it is, very fresh

This is super, no backgroung needed imho !

This is a great portrait - full and light and life. I know what you mean about a background. As someone who started painting my grandchildren a year or so ago, I have struggled with this issue and have tried various ideas. Lately I have just taken to putting a few patches of colour linked to the hair - nothing dark or dramatic but just enough to anchor the face. I have done this on the last couple of portraits I have completed, one of which is of my two year old granddaughter and it seemed to work without overwhelming the delicacy of the face. However, it is horses for courses and it is best to follow your gut feeling about this. If you feel it lacks a background then try one (I paint it on a bit of spare paper and hold it in the right place over the painting to see if it works- avoids disaster!) but on the other hand this portrait stands perfectly as it is. Always difficult decisions!

Simply beautiful, leave well alone

thanks so much for your comments everyone. I've put this on the wall as it is and will live with it for a month or two before I decide!

I agree with Fred it's lovely as it is.

I'm usually hesitant about commenting on portraits, as that's really not my strong point, but your gallery is quite irresistable! This is a real gem - she is gorgeous, and I agree with Fred and Joy - the painting is beautiful as is!

This is a perfect sweet painting of a lovely sweet little girl who looks to be having a great deal of fun and you have shown that perfectly here, well donen