Another interesting and unique aspect of Rikitake's professional practice is his tendency to hire former models from his earlier works as his studio assistants. This created a distinct feedback loop in his artistic development. . The rationale is that these assistants, having been in the models' position themselves, could better guide new and often younger subjects through the process, creating a more comfortable and familiar environment. This insider perspective, critics and scholars have noted, may have allowed for a gradual shift in his work's composition, moving from full-body and bust portraits in his early career towards more explicit close-ups and poses over time.
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