Portraits vs. Figuratives

[Kimberly Dow]

I want to hear everyone's definition and opinions on where the line is drawn.

I was under the assumption for years that if the person was not staring directly at the viewer than it was a figurative. Since then I have seen plenty like that that were clearly portraits.

For example: If it is a head & shoulders only - looking away - is that a portrait? What if it is mostly the back of the head? Profiles are certainly portraits.

Is it the intent of the artist? In other words if it is not a commissioned portrait, but a painting to be sold like many of Bill Whittaker's - does that make it a figurative?

I am especially interested in groups of figures - how to determine if it is a group portrait vs. figures...

If they are engaged in some sort of action - does that make it more likely to be a figurative?

I do not have any samples to post yet, but I will go on ARC and find some famous ones. Like many of WB's - with groups of people - or even just a couple of sisters drinking water... would they be figures or portraits?

I will post mine below that I wonder about. I considered it a figurative because it was my intention to dress the model up in a costume and paint her to sell - using body language to get my idea across more than a dead-on likeness of her face. Is it figurative or portrait? It looks just like her. I could easily keep it on my wall and everyone would know who it is...