How much do you know about the art movement, Realism?
Realism is a mid-19th century art movement that started in France. Many people describe realism as a "concern for fact or reality" because it reflects everyday situations, events, and characters in their most accurate and authentic form.
Realism was borne as a reaction to an art movement called Romanticism where the approach towards the subject is always idealistic. Proponents of realist art wanted to do away with the inaccuracy and the exaggerated emotions of romanticized art and focus instead on what's really happening in real life minus the bias and personal interpretations.
Realism is often confused with Naturalism. But just remember this - realism is focused more on "what" or "who" is being painted while naturalism is more concentrated on "how" a subject is painted.
Realism is a mid-19th century art movement that started in France. Many people describe realism as a "concern for fact or reality" because it reflects everyday situations, events, and characters in their most accurate and authentic form.
Realism was borne as a reaction to an art movement called Romanticism where the approach towards the subject is always idealistic. Proponents of realist art wanted to do away with the inaccuracy and the exaggerated emotions of romanticized art and focus instead on what's really happening in real life minus the bias and personal interpretations.
Realism is often confused with Naturalism. But just remember this - realism is focused more on "what" or "who" is being painted while naturalism is more concentrated on "how" a subject is painted.
Realism encompassed almost all genres, including landscapes and portraits. Subjects were often the mundane and ordinary than the ideal where scenes of street life and the day in a life of a working class member were depicted in all its frankness and honesty.
Some of the famous 19th century realist painters include David Wilkie, Ferdinand Georg Waldmuller, Theodore Gericault, Jean-Francois Millet and Edgar Degas to name a few. Check out their artworks from below for inspiration!
Some of the famous 19th century realist painters include David Wilkie, Ferdinand Georg Waldmuller, Theodore Gericault, Jean-Francois Millet and Edgar Degas to name a few. Check out their artworks from below for inspiration!
David Wilkie's Reading the Will (1820) www.wikipedia.org
Ferdinand Georg Waldmuller's Old Elms in Prater (1831) www.brushwiz.com
Theodore Gericault's The Raft of the Medusa (1819) www.thetimes.co.uk
Jean-Francois Millet's The Angelus (1857) www.wall-oilpainting.com
Edgar Degas's Ballet Rehearsal on the Set (1874) www.wikipedia.org
And if you look closely at one of the legendary Filipino paintings in our history, the Spoliarium by the great Juan Luna will definitely be a great example of realist art. It’s dark, riveting, and captures the hardships of the dying gladiators.
Juan Luna's Spoliarium (1884)
If you want to make an attempt at realist art, there are three ways to make your work look more realistic!
First, check the perspective of your work! Start with a focal point in your canvas and work outwards across the composition. Use light pencil marks as your guidance as you start to paint.
Another way is to consider the light direction and shadows of your subjects. Establish first where your light is coming from and make every highlight and shadow based on that direction of the light. Remember to keep it consistent to achieve a truly realistic feel!
And lastly, add as much details as possible - no matter how tiny! It may take a great deal of patience and observation, but you will be pleased at the results once you see your final painting. Adding those important details is not an overnight work. Just take your time. It will be all worth it in the end.
To learn more about Realist art, you know what to do!
Enrollment for art classes this 2016 is officially open so go ahead and book your art classes! Choose from our six 1-hour classes or twelve 2-hour sessions! Check out our schedule below and call us at 0917-8784766 to make your reservations!
First, check the perspective of your work! Start with a focal point in your canvas and work outwards across the composition. Use light pencil marks as your guidance as you start to paint.
Another way is to consider the light direction and shadows of your subjects. Establish first where your light is coming from and make every highlight and shadow based on that direction of the light. Remember to keep it consistent to achieve a truly realistic feel!
And lastly, add as much details as possible - no matter how tiny! It may take a great deal of patience and observation, but you will be pleased at the results once you see your final painting. Adding those important details is not an overnight work. Just take your time. It will be all worth it in the end.
To learn more about Realist art, you know what to do!
Enrollment for art classes this 2016 is officially open so go ahead and book your art classes! Choose from our six 1-hour classes or twelve 2-hour sessions! Check out our schedule below and call us at 0917-8784766 to make your reservations!
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