I used to do portraits in oils but I developed an allergy and can't go near oil paint anymore. So when I found out about the pencils I'm happy again. Luckily I was able to do lifesize portraits of both my parents before the allergy got too bad. I gave the pictures to them for Christmas one year with the stipulation that they were never to be part of their estate and all my brothers and sisters agreed. When they passed away the portraits came back to me.