Painting those you love is a challenge. How to get a likeness, how to capture a feeling, and essence of character and a sense of relationship. I have always found portrait painting both powerful and exciting. I love the National Portrait Gallery- especially the old masters covered in layers of shinny varnish. The skill and mastership (that’s why they are called masters) is stunning, and not a little intimidating. But the eyes of love are forgiving and my daughter is delighted with her portrait and that of her young son, carried on her back, wearing a coat I had bought her for Christmas. .It captures that moment of love, togetherness and the joy of belonging to each other.