Portraiture has always been about more than capturing the physical likeness of the individual. For me, the attempt to immortalise the idiosyncrasies and individual relationship between artist and sitter has always been the allure of the painted portrait. In the act of painting, you can't help but think about the incredible uniqueness and life experience of the individual as you study them. It is a rare time when your attention is absorbed in another and their qualities shine through in a way that is not always apparent to the sitter themselves.