Figurative painting vs portrait

[Kimberly Dow]

Even when I do figuratives I try to get an exact likeness - mainly because it's good practice, but also I choose my models because I like how they look. To me personally its fairly simple - a figurative is a painting with a person in it (more than just the head & shoulders) who doesn't yet have a buyer. For me personally a figurative should have a story-telling essence to it as well. That goes along with what Cynthia said about cosstumes, props and physically 'doing something.'

I am always on the hunt to convince my clients to commission paintings that have a 'figurative' feel to them. For me personally - they just have more to say and more to look at. Imagine a portfolio full of commissioned pieces where the clients are dressed in clothing more like costumes and doing things that are telling of their personalities...heaven!

[Cynthia Daniel]

A lot of good points. Yes, I agree that portrait usually has the face as the main focus. But, I've seen some that did not, but they are truly the exception.

[Mike McCarty]

I erred above when I attributed both paintings to Carole Katchen. The second one is by William Vrscak and is also in Carole's book "Painting with Passion," one of the best books on painting I have ever read.

[Kimber Scott]

To me, it seems figures in "portraits" more often are engaging the viewer, where figures in figuratives are engaging other figures, their environment, or maybe their own thoughts. Although, many portraits do have a sitter who is not looking directly at the viewer and is engaging in his, or her own thoughts, or some other far away place. In these types of pictures, however, if the emphasis, or focal point, is specifically on the face, and there is no obvious narrative, I would call it a portrait - for example "Madame X."