as someone who draws and creates art but isnt necessarily enamored with much of art history (though I'm well aware of much of it) I will say that the experience

as someone who draws and creates art but isnt necessarily enamored with much of art history (though I'm well aware of much of it) I will say that the experience of creating art and looking at these portraits... there 100% is something that happens once you've gotten to the point of being able to put a realistic image onto a page where instead you start thinking of and reading into every movement, every color every bit of information and imbuing those with meaning. this has happened in my 3d art and in my 2d art where once I got to a point I was happy with my technical skill, the emotive desire really starts opening up. of course that doesnt mean I'm some sort of maestro of technical skill, it just means that I have accomplished enough of what I feel like doing technically that I feel perfectly comfortable leaving THAT path and exploring others.