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It seems to me we have gotten away from "traditional" portraiture when it comes to drawing. There is very little taught in drawing, other than photo realism. I have been labeled an extremist for calling for traditional methods in drawing, whatever they may be. Too many artists get into abstractions before they have a clue what they are doing.
I have referred to Paul Calle in another section under "Methods of Seeing" / "Line First". Paule Calle mentions in his book the "traditional" methods of drawing, and refers to the sketch method of shade lines which flow diagonally with the elbow as the hinge point. He digressed from this tradition in his wonderful stylish drawings for NASA and Ladies Home Journal by drawing the shade lines along the contours of the form rather than just conveniently ergonomic.
This calls to a time when there was a specific method of teaching drawing, as opposed to today's two extremes: photo realism and nothing. I think it can be said that there was merit to the "traditional" methods of drawing. In todays art schools, we have PHds teaching art who do not have a clue about drawing, and any "traditional" methodolgy.
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