I'm going to quit a job and paint portraits for a while, mostly kids, and I was wondering what M'catter's thought about portraits in general, observations and possibly experiences. Or if you were going to have one done, what would you look for?

   I've been studying other portrait artists and their business and prices and such, trying to prepare some advertising and things. But it seems to me that there is just something odd about many portrait artists, generally, and their work. Is it just me? As best I can name it, most who call themselves "traditional" portrait artists, seem more a peculiar contemporary vein I'd call "How-to" artists. A lot of them write how-to books, and follow a fairly programatic style, which, if you talk to them, has many odd inhibitions. It makes me wonder if they really reflect people's wishes, or if it's just a peculiar business culture, as it seems to me.

   Any thoughts? ideas? advice for building a little business?