The Eyes Have It
With few exceptions, the eyes are the key to the portrait. They are by no means the only aspect of a portrait, but they are the one aspect that communicates so exponentially more powerfully than any other element in a portrait that they deserve careful attention. The eyes are so powerful that without looking at the rest of a face we can interpret the emotions therein. It is not even with the mouth that we smile, but with the eyes; it is there that we look to interpret a smile—is it sincere or forced? The eyes can flash with anger or steely resolve. Think of the Steve McCurry portrait of the young Afghan refugee girl that appeared on the National Geographic cover in June 1985—her eyes powerfully emitting resolve and strength. ...
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