What makes a great portrait? Is it accuracy of proportion, shading, color, and technically perfect detail, or the qualities which make any art pleasing or beautiful? Are those things enough, or do some characteristics transcend great proficiency and mere attractiveness? For me, what makes a portrait one of my most favorite, is that it more than resembles the person or character being portrayed, it encapsulates the essence of their personality and radiates it to the viewer. It is the special portrait which draws one in, which makes one stare, long enough to contemplate the nature of that person, and remember it afterwards when more ordinary portraits have evaporated from one's thoughts.

With this in mind I present the portraits that have brought me the most enjoyment, including drawings, paintings, photographs, photomanipulations or digital painting, and even some poetry which I felt captured a silhouette of the person portrayed. Please show these artists your support by faving their work (with the exception of that Hillary portrait, which obviously doesn't belong with the other fine artpieces here, LOL)!

Best regards, happy creating,
Debra Royall