The graphic above reveals one reason Tim is such a good artist and I am such a hack.
Art (like poetry) invokes the Laws of Math.
Angles, numbers, measurements - these things MATTER.
Some of us may be able to intuit them, but to really capture an expression, the precise and extremely EXACT angle and distance (from nose to upper lip or corner of the mouth, e..g) make a world of difference. No approximations will get you the precise expression of Freddy's face in the photo vs the painting!

Miles was correct in telling me the first draft of Freddy, with blank eyes, was the most "accurate" version. Pupils in cat eyes - TOTALLY MATHEMATICAL - I couldn't wing it. Couldn't measure it either. The grid system completely daunted me. How do I draw the same grids onto the wood slice???

Soooo many hours of my life were spent staring into Freddy's eyes, I became completely enchanted by if not OWNED by Freddy, which is not fair, because YOU are Freddy's human (his "familiar") and I am enslaved by the monotheist, Bobi the Bad. ("You shall have no other god before me, and no other cat beside me!")