Portraits are some of my favorite oil paintings to work on. The Florence Academy of Art stressed the nude figure, still life, and portraits as the strongest ways to develop technically as an artist. I always prefer having the person sit for me when working on a portrait as it is the best way of obtaining the likeness of the individual. However, I know this is not always possible and I am willing to work off a photograph provided it is good enough. I can take my own as well. When I am fortunate enough to have someone sit for me, I am able to more thoroughly study their face from different angles as well as getting to know their personality. My goal in portraiture is to not simply record their likeness, but to capture their actual personality. I do this by talking to them and listening to whatever music they prefer. Portraits are a great way of honoring a person or even a position. I believe portraiture should not be looked at as something vain, but as something commemorative that promotes respect towards the position or individual.