“I do not paint a portrait to look like the subject, rather does the person grow to look like his portrait.” ~ Salvador Dalí
These words of Salvador Dali have always rung true to me. While it is possible to make a a portrait that is simply photograph-like, I would argue that what Dali contends creates a more successful artistic work. If the goal of art is simply to dutifully copy reality, then you might as well be a photographer. Not that photography is not an art in itself nor that the skill to copy something precisely should be disregarded entirely, but a true artist should strive for more. It is more important to capture the essence and you can quote me on that.