"I'm very envious of the few artists who are any good and still do portraits"

Howard Hodgkin's quote, "I'm extremely jealous of the few artists who are any good and still do pictures", offers a succinct yet layered insight into his views on art, especially the nuanced field of portraiture. This statement can be analyzed as a reflection of both admiration and lamentation.

To start with, Hodgkin's usage of the word "envious" signals a deep regard for picture artists who master their craft. Portraiture is a standard form that requires an unique set of skills, including an understanding of anatomy, color, and the capability to capture the essence of a topic. The admiration intrinsic in envy recommends that Hodgkin recognizes the extraordinary skill needed to create significant and impactful portraits. It's possible that he sees successful picture artists as having an unusual capability to both technically replicate a subject and convey their character and emotions, a double accomplishment that few handle to achieve.

Moreover, the phrase "few artists who are any excellent" exposes Hodgkin's important point of view on the modern art scene. Implicit in this part of the quote is the notion that lots of professionals either lack the skill or the determination to engage with portraiture in a manner that meets high creative standards. This could imply a shift in the art world, where less artists pick to focus on standard techniques, possibly due to the increase of abstract and conceptual art forms, which were areas Hodgkin himself explored thoroughly.

Furthermore, the phrase "and still do pictures" discuss the concept of determination in a perhaps underappreciated or declining genre. It highlights the commitment needed to master and stay committed to portraiture in a modern environment that frequently values development and novel approaches over custom. This could show Hodgkin's nostalgia for a time when portraiture held greater prominence in the art world.

In essence, through his quote, Hodgkin encapsulates a complex mix of adoration, critique, and nostalgia, talking to the long-lasting difficulties and rewards of producing remarkable pictures in an ever-evolving artistic landscape.