I think that the analogy of music is a possible key to understand the essence of art painting.
It is the how and not the what you do that qualifies you to call your self an artist.
The 'how' could be the economy of the brushstrokes, i.e. how you describe a shadow, how you make the transition from skin to hair, edges, basically the information that the single brushstroke hold.
The 'what' is if you paint a Queen or a Cucumber.
In a portrait the what and the how must support each other.
I believe that the 'how' should be regarded as abstract elements and the most interesting parts of any painting. Anyway to those who
have no interest in the person portrayed.
If we talk about music it will not qualify for being a work of quality that it is a sentimental love song if it does not sound good. Why would Elvis do takes after takes if it were not for perfection of expression.
Expression is all, when it comes to survival of art, and thank you for that.
