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Pink lips
Clive, I have often over-rouged and lipsticked my subjects. Stuart, George Washington's painter did the same thing. It was a common 18th century practice. Somehow brighter lips and cheeks that would look gaudy in public, look just fine in a portrait. I think the bright pink lips give her sprightliness.
I like the whole figure in a large chair. It gives her a sense of fragility and makes for a more unusual composition. The hands don't bother me, they are very touching and have the right gesture for an older woman. I love her sneakers as well.
You have just enough of the dark orange to complement her sweater.
A large blank wall space, like you have, can work, though it can be tricky. Resist the urge to put a plant or florals there. Make sure the curtain edge does not go out at an angle. It could be brought in a tad or stay where it is, but it must be perfectly perpendicular. I like the simplicity, very contemporary and very Hockney. Actually David Hockney did some interesting portraits. He had a refreshingly unusual sense of composition. He sometimes placed seated figures in large blank spaces. Look him up.
Sincerely,
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