New year, new painting, new model

Actually, an old model.  I did my first drawing of Maddie when she was a year and some change.

General's charcoal, Nitram vine charcoal (for wispy thistles and original sketching), and Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Medium, which isn't as pebbly as General's White Charcoal.  What the hell is "White Charcoal?"  Are they worried they'll confuse us by calling it "Chalk?"

This is a preparatory drawing for my next figurative painting.  Not weeding your garden is its own reward when you need some thistles to draw.

Here is that first drawing of Maddie.  That serious expression hasn't changed much.