In recent decades, almost exclusively I have been painting portraits on commission. Clients pay for the assignment, and that creates obligations for me, the artist. Principally, the portrait should have a perfect likeness. That’s fundamental, and rightly so. In addition, the painting must meet a number of criteria that has to do with the artist´s view. Firstly, of course one would depict the person in an flattering way. I once read somewhere : A portrait is not just painting a picture, it is the celebration of a person. That is what I am looking for. Regardless, the painting should be of good colour balance, chiaroscuro and composition. But all this, usually has nothing to do with the extent to which a portrait shows a detailed view. Sometimes I can also linger too much on details and I often think I should stop painting earlier. Seeing the portrait of this young lady again (that I made years ago) I remember I wondered if I should elaborate more some details. Now that I see it again, I still do not know. I like the overall unsharpness.
My personal opinion is that I like the paint to be part of the portrait. So I like it as it is now.
I do like what you are doing with your current ones with just a tad more sharpness/detail. You are outstanding.