Photorealism Art Style

03 April, 2024

Photorealism has since become a widely recognized and respected genre of contemporary art, with many artists continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible with this style. In this article, we will delve into the depth of this art style.

Art of Hyperrealistic Painting

Photorealism refers to an art movement that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s which aimed to reproduce photographic images in painting or other media with maximum realism. The photorealist approach involves meticulously copying a photograph down to the most minute details to create a convincingly lifelike facsimile of the image. Photorealists gather visual information from photographs and use this to generate highly realistic portrayals of their subjects.

This departure from the abstraction and expressiveness of earlier postwar art movements represented a return to accurately representing subjects rather than portraying the artist's emotional impression. Photorealism coincided with the growth of mass media and the proliferation of photography in daily life.

Photorealism Art Movement: Key Elements

Photorealists employ techniques suited to recreating the tones, textures, and details of a photographic reference to make their paintings appear photographically accurate. Oil and acrylic paints provide the versatility required to capture precise effects. Airbrushing is used to apply gradients and adjust tones seamlessly. Canvases are often pre-primed with graphite to enhance precision.

The movement continues to influence contemporary art, with many artists incorporating photorealistic techniques into their work. Correct proportions, perspective, depth, lighting, shadows, and focus must be carefully reproduced to make the scene convincingly realistic. Attention is given to reflecting the characteristics of the reference photo's subject, scene, and mood. The photorealist painting process is meticulous, building the image through multiple layers to perfect every nuance.

Photorealism is a unique art movement that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, characterized by its hyper-realistic depiction of photographs. Photorealist artists use a variety of techniques to create paintings that appear almost indistinguishable from photographs.

Here are some key elements of the Photorealism art movement:

Use of photographs as source material: Photorealist artists use high-resolution photographs as the basis for their paintings. They often project the photograph onto a canvas and meticulously recreate every detail.
Attention to detail: Photorealist paintings are characterized by their incredible attention to detail. Artists use a variety of techniques, such as airbrushing and layering, to create a highly realistic effect.
Use of color: Photorealist artists often use a limited color palette to create a sense of realism. They may also use color to create depth and dimension in their paintings.
Subject matter: Photorealist paintings often depict everyday objects and scenes, such as cars, buildings, and landscapes. The movement is known for its focus on the mundane and ordinary.
Emphasis on technique: Photorealism is all about technique. Artists strive to create paintings that are as realistic as possible, often spending hundreds of hours on a single piece.
Influence of pop art: Photorealism emerged in the same era as pop art, and the two movements share some similarities. Both movements are concerned with popular culture and the mass production of images.

However, while pop art is often characterized by its bold colors and graphic style, photorealism is known for its subtlety and attention to detail.

Photorealism artwork — Statue of Catherine of Braganza, in Lisbon — scale model for a much larger one planned for Queens NYC, never built

Photorealist Artists

American artist Chuck Close is credited with pioneering Photorealism with his large-scale portraits of himself and others rendered in acrylics with an airbrush. Fellow Americans Richard Estes and Ralph Goings became key figures in the movement's development.

Estes created sweeping urban cityscapes teeming with detail. Goings captured the gleam and sheen of American diners, pickups, and storefronts with documentary precision. Other prominent photorealists include Audrey Flack, famous for her vivid still lifes, and British artist Clive Head's lifelike landscapes.

Photorealism Examples

While most associated with painting, photorealist principles have been adapted across mediums. Sculptor John DeAndrea models stunningly realistic human figures cast in polyvinyl. In photography, Jerry Uelsmann creates photomontages with multiple negatives. Recently, digital editing software has expanded photorealist possibilities, enabling flawless composites, manipulations, and enhancements. Digital photorealism has become a major trend in contemporary illustration and concept art using computer graphics software.

Photorealism Paintings Impact

Photorealism challenged conventions about artistic talent versus mechanical processes in creating representational art. While controversial at first, it ultimately earned recognition as a legitimate movement showcasing remarkable technical virtuosity.

Photorealism's influence is apparent in present-day hyperrealism art that pushes the boundaries of visual accuracy even further through digital means. The integration of technology, popular culture, and photography championed by Photorealism continues to shape artistic practices today. These pioneering photorealist painters and sculptors demonstrated the enduring power of images to reflect reality.

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