Sorry Mike, I guess I missed that line
But the thing I was trying to get at is that a number of people who have approached me about doing portraits for them have actually requested a more impressionistic style - especially for portraits of children. These people have seen the looser works of some of these well-known painters, and also admire the likes of Monet, Renoir etc. They often want exactly what Michele described - fine precision in hands and faces with a more painterly background and clothing. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of professional portrait artists out there who choose to paint in that style, and I guess that's what you're getting at with this post (i.e. are there few because the market does not support those who try it?). So I'd love to hear Marvin's experienced opinion on that, as you requested!
I am a very BOTTOM of the food chain artist, and I personally find it tough to blend the tight drawing required to get a likeness with a looser style. I think if I were skilled enough right now to do more "painterly" portraits, they would sell, but my inexperience limits me.