Why are few of Joshua Reynolds's drawings considered important?

The premise that few of Joshua Reynolds's drawings are considered important is accurate according to historical accounts of his work. While Reynolds was a dedicated collector of old-master drawings, he was not considered a draftsman himself, and it is noted that few of his own drawings possess any significant merit.1

Instead of focusing on drawing, Reynolds prioritized the formal rhetoric of the Grand Style and the study of painting techniques. His artistic legacy is primarily defined by his influential role as the first president of the Royal Academy, his significant contributions to art criticism through his Discourses Delivered at the Royal Academy, and his mastery of portraiture, which sought to elevate the status of the profession in England.1