Portraits vs. Figuratives

[Jimmie Arroyo]

I'm in agreement with Michele about the intent of the picture. I can't remember where I had written this before, but I believe if the picture says something about the person, it's a portrait. The example I had used was; if I do a drawing of my grandmother's hands, aged and bent with arthritis, I consider it a portrait. A body shot of John Merrick, the Elephant Man should definitely be a portrait.

I am going to do a series eventually of self-portraits, but none will include my face. A drawing of my torso, with two big scars on my stomach, shoulder's tattooed, should qualify as a portrait of me.

Just my $.02.