HOW "THE GIFT" WAS PAINTED - 20 x 30" oil painting on wood panel

​This painting was inspired by the uplifting feelings of both giving and receiving. The child is leaning forward and giving or perhaps receiving; in either case, there is an excitement, a sense of happiness. I want to evoke the feelings that are present during this act of kindness.

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Then I added three figures forming a triangle with their head positions.

In this final image, I added more highlights and darkened the upper right corner to redirect the viewer to the figures.

I started this painting with a playful abstract. Just freely painting without rhyme or reason.

I then focused on color harmony added some vibrant colors and  worked on the figure details.

Hope you found this inspiring, helpful or interesting.