can someone teach me how to photograph paintings?

I worked another hour on my figure painting. Haha why can't I take a decent picture of my art work? Or anything!?

figure painting

This was a two day pose. The poor woman looked like she wanted to fall over the whole time.
I started this painting yesterday, so I've spent about an hour or so on it but it's going to to be a two day pose.
This is an idea I have for our Somalian pirate piece. My final piece will be much darker. It would be best to change the pirate ship to an actual tanker and make his features darker..
unfinished portrait of the artist Elyse.
N.C. Wyeth mastercopy.

In my next post I'll post some of of my 30 portraits and childrens book illustration work!