Realism in the visual arts is a very popular style that has earned its fine reputation. Paintings, graphics, sculptures, and photography depicting humans, nature, and animals are emotional and naturalistic, with a focus on details. Now we will try to discuss contemporary art drawings.
Why is realism drawing such a unique technique of drawing?
The main criteria of realist art were the portrayal of the natural state of nature, the psychological quality of the portraits, and the representation of everyday human life. At the same time, realism rejects the idealization and embellishment of reality. Realist technique demands a high degree of professionalism from the artist and great skill in conveying the effects of light, perspective, texture, and subtle shades. For thousands of years, human culture "studied" for realism, and artists strove to reproduce nature as precisely as possible, even if it turned out naively in our view. The idealization of the Renaissance and the tumultuous feelings of the Baroque was only a step away from genuine realism. And realism was realized by such diverse artists as Caravaggio (back in the vein of the exalted baroque) in the 16th century, the Little Dutch and the Spanish Diego Velasquez in the 17th, the Russian painter Dmitri Levitsky, the Englishmen Thomas Gainsborough and William Hogarth, the German painter of Polish origin Daniel Chodowiecki in the 18th and others.
The true flowering of realism took place in the nineteenth century and continued into the twentieth. For decades the leading direction of realism was the criticism of social ills: poverty, disenfranchisement, child labour, etc. The style spread in many countries, the favorite subjects of realist painters were genre scenes from rural and urban life, landscapes, still lifes. Among the great realists are Gustave Courbet, Winslow Homer, Thomas Eakins, Albert Edelfelt, Anton Ažbe, Jurij Šubic, Ilya Repin - each master contributed to the development of the style.
How Do You Describe Realism Art?
The realistic style in contemporary art is very diverse. Today, critical realism, one might say, has gone out of fashion, but other modifications of the style are popular. For example, magical realism, which combines the signs of the real world with some "cloudiness" of the artist's gaze, is a shift towards fantasy and magic. Its opposite seems to be hyperrealism, which reproduces reality with the greatest care, bringing the image to the state of photography. However, it is precisely this thoroughness that creates the effect of ... unreality, a circus trick, and hyperrealism, thus, gravitates toward certain magic. And, of course, there is today's classical realism, which carefully, and respectfully conveys nature.
Techniques Involving realism
The realist style has no limitations. Modern realism is most clearly revealed in painting and drawing in the following genres:
As for techniques, contemporary realism is completely free. Oil on canvas, acrylic on paper, gouache, and watercolor, drawing, sculpture, photography, collages - each artist chooses his own technique and mixes them with inspiration.
Properties and Advantages of realisms paintings
To sum up, realism is one of the most respected styles of fine art. It is complex and profound, requiring a good school and much experience. No other style examines living nature and the face of man with such care. Realism is good because it always tells a story to the viewer. In addition, it is versatile in terms of interior design - a painting in the realism style will look good in almost any room.
Where to buy realism artworks?
Modern realism art for sale is the biggest niche on the art market, both offline (at fairs, in galleries, and salons) and online, where you can buy online realism paintings. The online art platform G.ART Gallery has a unique offer to art lovers - a collection of original works by realism artists from Eastern Europe. Historically, the tradition of the style is very strong in this region, and each country has outstanding realist artists.
How to choose realistic artwork?
- Determine the subjects and genres you like
- Decide which color will suit your interior.
- Calculate the right size for your painting - one large or several small ones?
- Find a comfortable price for realism artworks
- Ask for further advice if necessary on our online support on G.Art Gallery
