I was absolutely captivated by Thor’s charming ‘smile,’ and recreating it was the most enjoyable part of his portrait. Achieving a realistic gummy smile lies in capturing the glossy highlights on the gums. It’s essential to focus on getting the deeper tonal values of pinks and blacks just right. I begin by working outward from the highlights, gradually building up the colour and intensifying it layer by layer. And when it seems dark enough, I darken it a little more to ensure the depth truly comes to life.