The article discusses the types and functions of a literary portrait on the example of the work of Kalikhan Iskak. There are such features as oriental metaphorism, characteristic of the portrait characteristics of the writer, individual details that allow the reader to visually present the portrait feature of the images. In most of K. Iskak's portraits, there is a close connection between the external appearance and the internal character. In some of the writer's works, the individuality in the portrait image of the hero becomes his constant characteristic, sometimes some portrait features in the representation of images grow into synecdochic names. In the novel "Aksu-zher zhannaty", people who met the main character ironically ask about the health of his father "Does he still stink of cologne?" This statement gives rise to dubious thoughts in the head of the son. Recurring motives, cause reader intrigue, encourage the main character to conduct his own investigations. With the help of a seemingly insignificant detail used in the creation of olfactory imagery in a portrait sketch, the author creates a certain symbol. The smell of cologne fascinates the reader, intrigues, the author focuses the reader's attention on the word cologne. Thus, the subtext of this symbol in the author's reception is revealed. It turns out that cologne is a sign, a symbol. That is, in the ordinary sense, "cologne" should be fragrant, but on the contrary, in the novel this word acquires an absolutely opposite meaning. This is due to the most difficult dramatic and terrible situation in the history of the Kazakh people and it turns out that the participants and perpetrators of this bloody massacre with the help of cologne wanted to kill the smell of blood on their hands. Cologne acts as a kind of mask, i.e. this symbol is intentionally used by the writer as a means used to conceal the stench of the word, the wrong deed, the inner uncleanness of the character. Thus, the metaphorical meaning of the subtext is determined. Yesimkhan uses cologne for disguise, for mimicry, to hide the vile smell of his terrible deeds. In the final part of the article, the following conclusions are given: in the portrait image, the individual style of the writer is also recognizable, which makes it one of the principles of the style of the author's narrative, its constant evolution takes place; in the work of K. Iskak, we do not observe a certain portrait; writers' portraits differ in the variety of techniques used: both a complete description of the hero's appearance and an emphasis on an immediately striking feature; an appeal to portrait characteristics in different situations, an addition from different angles; an assessment of the features of the face and body through the eyes of other characters. A characteristic feature of the writer's work in creating a portrait characteristic is the introduction of symbolic meaning, subject and semiotic symbolic meaning into it.