I was wondering how to add the shadows subtly with the palette knife and it wasn’t coming to me until…
I changed the position of the light I was using. Originally on my right, it kept throwing annoying shadows from my hand as I worked and I couldn’t see the canvas surface, so I switched it to my left side, and now I could see the canvas before I put my (right) hand down to it.
Right away, I decided to change the direction of the shadows on the composition as well. Now they appeared to flow from the light source which is now pointing down on the model from my upper left side.
I added some shadow and additional layers on the background.
More to come…
The New Renaissance Mindset 
I love the shadows and highlights that you worked onto the piece. The little white leaves (flowers?) seem like important elements of the work, at least to me.
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Thank you Laura Kate. Yes, they are these little light lavender coloured flowers that grow out of hostas. I felt they needed to be there too…
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