Working small, and so glad to be painting again!

Today I finally got back into the studio to paint for the first time since Not Barbie opened.  For some reason I was called to do this piece - I imagined it a bit differently than this, but I couldn't find the picture on my computer which was in my head, so I made this one work. 

I first painted the background with all sort of colors - there are actually 8-10 colors in it though it doesn't look like it.  Neutral is a hard color to create! 

Because I don't usually work so small (19"x15") I decided to paint the couch first so I could get used to working so small - choosing brushes, etc.  It felt exquisite to apply paint to canvas again.  I forget how much I love to do it when I've been away for a while.

After the sofa reached a certain level of completion, I began work on her body.  The light was beautiful coming in the window to her right (our left), so it was fun to render that.  She also has a wonderful laughing expression which was tricky and challenging but fun to capture.  I just noticed I forgot to paint her necklace.  Guess I'm not finished after all!  I also notice that some of the grid still shows through the sofa cushions and the background in some places, so I have a few more hours' work to do.  Ah, the pleasures of an artist!

I haven't found a title for this piece yet.  Let me know if you have any ideas for me!