The painting stayed where it had been in the previous photo for quite some time as I wasn't convinced I was certain enough what I wanted to do with it to 'fix it'. I started reworking the background, thinking of making it seem more like a carpet, but in doing so I think I lost the vibrancy it had.
The same as I try to 'correct' the ears. with regards to the reference photo. But the angle of the head being so far from the reference photo, I should have forgotten about the photo and let the painting take its own life. Trying to 'fix' it, I just overworked it.
It was time to admit I'd ruined it, scrap the painting, and start again.
