'Lady With A Mink' Painting

I've never really done much (or, any) painting, but for a project I had to, and so the whole thing became quite a learning curve in working out... how do I actually paint! I decided to base it loosely on the idea of daemons from Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials', and the paintings he drew inspiration from himself:

'Lady With An Ermine' by Leonardo da Vinci

Firstly, some close-ups, because I was most happy with the details of the mink fur and the hand:

(^ click to enlarge)

And the whole piece:

I wasn't entirely pleased with it, but for a first attempt at a large painting with no real know-how about how to paint at all, it was definitely an experience and I know at least that I've learned from it! :)