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Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

CONTEMPORARY STYLE

Used to refer to a time rather than an aesthetic, Contemporary art generally describes pieces created after 1970 or being made by living artists anywhere in the world. This immediacy means it encompasses art responding to the present moment through diverse subjects, media and themes. Contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, performance, digital art, video and more frequently includes work that is attempting to reshape current ideas about what art can be, from Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s use of candy to memorialize a lover he lost to AIDS-related complications to Jenny Holzer’s ongoing “Truisms,” a Conceptual series that sees provocative messages printed on billboards, T-shirts, benches and other public places that exist outside of formal exhibitions and the conventional “white cube” of galleries.

Contemporary art has been pushing the boundaries of creative expression for years. Its disruption of the traditional concepts of art are often aiming to engage viewers in complex questions about identity, society and culture. In the latter part of the 20th century, contemporary movements included Land art, in which artists like Robert Smithson and Michael Heizer create large-scale, site-specific sculptures, installations and other works in soil and bodies of water; Sound art, with artists such as Christian Marclay and Susan Philipsz centering art on sonic experiences; and New Media art, in which mass media and digital culture inform the work of artists such as Nam June Paik and Rafaël Rozendaal.

The first decades of the 21st century have seen the growth of Contemporary African art, the revival of figurative painting, the emergence of street art and the rise of NFTs, unique digital artworks that are powered by blockchain technology.

Major Contemporary artists practicing now include Ai Weiwei, Cecily Brown, David Hockney, Yayoi Kusama, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami and Kara Walker.

Find a collection of Contemporary prints, photography, paintings, sculptures and other art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Contemporary
Color:  Blue
Water (Octopus Spirit), 2017, figurative, blue, drawing, tribal, MarYah
Located in Jersey City, NJ
China marker on smooth bristol paper. Jay Golding’s realistic portrait and figure drawings/paintings are inspired primarily by Indigenous culture and heritage but are not limited to...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Permanent Marker

Water (Serpent Spirit), 2017, figurative, blue, drawing, tribal, MarYah
Located in Jersey City, NJ
China marker on smooth bristol paper. Jay Golding’s realistic portrait and figure drawings/paintings are inspired primarily by Indigenous culture and heritage but are not limited to...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Permanent Marker

Meridional VII - Contemporary, Drawing, Yellow, Blue, Red, Landscape, Butterfly
Located in Berlin, DE
Meridional VII, 2013 Tempera on Paper 27.55 H x 39.37 W in. 70 H x 100 W cm The series "Meridional" from 2014 shows colorful landscapes under some occasional exemptions. The tree...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Egg Tempera, Paper

Figures in the Grass
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Robert Beauchamp, American (1923 - 1995) Title: Figures in the Grass Year: 1994 Medium: Gouache on Paper, signed Image Size: 21.5 x 29.5 inches Size: 22.5 x 30.25 in. (57.15 ...
Category

1990s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Gouache

Hidden - Cloaked Female Figure Original Charcoal Drawing on Paper by Bruno Surdo
Located in Chicago, IL
This drawing of a woman wrapped in a cloak has blue tones with subtle red and white color. The drawing mixes loos sketch technique with high detail. This artwork is unframed. Contact the gallery if you require framing. Bruno Surdo Hidden, 2017 charcoal on prepared paper 15h x 10w in 38.10h x 25.40w cm Bruno A. Surdo b. Chicago, 1963 EXHIBITIONS 2018 Liberation, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL Blood Sport, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL Art on Paper 2018, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Pier 36, New York, NY SOFA Chicago 2018, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 2017 POP!ARAZZI, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL Coming Attractions, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2015 SOFA Chicago 2015, Ann Nathan Gallery, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL Bruno Surdo: Allegories, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2014 Bruno Surdo: Respond, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL Modern Metaphors, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL 2013 Bruno Surdo: Revelations, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL Vice + Virtue, Northern Illinois University Museum of Art 2012 Contemporary Realism Biennial, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN 2011 Bruno Surdo, University of St. Francis School of Creative Arts, Fort Wayne, IN Uncensored, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2010 Art Chicago 2010, Ann Nathan Gallery, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL 2009 Art Chicago 2009, Ann Nathan Gallery, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL 2007 Bruno Surdo, Art Institute of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 2006 Context/Content: Making Meaning with the Figure, University of Arkansas, Conway, AR Creative Imaginings, Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile, AL Bruno Surdo: Cycles, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2005 Art Chicago 2005, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2004 Tragedy, Memory, & Honor, Richard M. Daley Center, Chicago, IL Art Chicago 2004, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL Group Show, Arcadia Gallery, New York, NY Drawings VII, Koplin Del Rio Gallery, West Hollywood, CA Armory Show, New York Armory, New York, NY 2003 Paintings & Drawings, College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL The Art Show, New York, NY Bruno Surdo: New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL Art Chicago 2003, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2003-10 International Show of Contemporary Artists, Chicago Art Open, Chicago, IL 2002 Bruno Surdo: Perception of Appearance, Frye Museum, Seattle, WA Tragedy, Memory, & Honor, Richard M. Daley Center, Chicago, IL Bruno Surdo: Transcendence, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL Art Chicago 2002, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL Tragedy, Memory, & Honor, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2001 Magic Vision, Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR 1998 Evanston and Vicinity Artists, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL 1996 Bruno Surdo: A Personal View, University of Wisconsin, Kenosha, WI 1995 Bruno Surdo: Recent Works, College of Lake County, IL AIDS in Our Society, Loyola University, Chicago, IL Bruno Surdo: Life, Struggle, and Hope, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL 2001 Magic Vision, Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR Bruno Surdo: Dualities of Life, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 1999 Group Show, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 1998 Group Exhibition, Fine Arts Building Gallery, Chicago, IL 1995 Spiritual Inquiries, Struve Gallery, Chicago, IL 1994 Recent Works, The 14th Annual Juried Exhibition for Lake County Artists, Grayslake, IL Go Figure, Figurative Works on Paper, Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, Chicago, IL SELECTED COLLECTIONS The Re-Birth of Venus, Temporary Loan, Fort Wayne Museum of Art Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR College of Lake County, Greyslake, IL Flashpoint Academy, Chicago IL John Robert Wiltgen Design Shoemaker Ruud Collection Julie & Thomas Danilek Michael Vozzella and Mike Silver Benjamin Fernandez Tom Braake Betsy Colburn Michael Diemand & Lor LaRose Michael Staab & Kathy Brock Bruce Leep Frank Tzurect Mary Foley Rosalyn Carlson Mimmy Turney Janet Long Halstead Billy Hunt Carol Galli Myles Kerrigan Honorable & Mrs. Edwin Berman Theodore Gage Northrop Art Museum Past Present & Future Company Dr. James & Peggy Kemmler Salvatore Monastero Nix & Virginia Lauridsen Joel Miller David & Marlene Zerkel Ann & Andy Abel Claudia Rush Marc Miller Leonard Goldberg Lawrence Pucci Howard Tullman Collection Susan & Manny Kramer James Rinnert Richar Interiors Michael & Nancy Colt Khalid Altijir Dr. Joe Grodman Beryl & Jack Gore Larry Wolf & Eric Naegle Chuck Wolandi Jack Schwab & David Sandelin Thomas Kaczmarek Marti Dinerstein Craig & Michael Golden Mike & Jill Rose SELECTED PUBLICATIONS Bruno Surdo: The Method Artist Responds, by Lucia Mauro, June 26, 2014, anitathemovie blog An Exhibition of Exhibitionism: Bruno Surdo’s ‘Respond’, by Carrie McGath, July 1, 2014, The Chicagoist Website, Arts and Entertainment “Inspired Environs: A renowned designer decks out his Loop abode in art and texture” Modern Luxury, Men’s Book, Spring 2014 “Master Class” What’z Up Magazine, Fort Wayne, 2011 ”9/11 Painting will be on Display” Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 2011 “Illuminated Images” Fort Wayne Reader, 2011 “Two Faces of Beauty” American Art Collector Magazine, Issue #3 and #59, 2006/2010 “Art and Calamity” Art Papers, 2009 “Versions of the Present, Techniques of the Past” American Artist Magazine, 2004 “Living Artists” Crow Book Publishing, Chicago, IL 2004 “The New Master” by Craig Keller, Chicago Social Magazine, 2004. “Tragedy, Memory, and Honor,” by William Hageman, Chicago Tribune, March 28, 2002 “Mural Depicts Tragedy of 9/11” Art Section...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal, Archival Paper

"Farmer, " Pastel on Paper Abstract Landscape signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Farmer" is an original pastel drawing on paper by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece lower left. It depicts a farmer plowing a field with the help of an animal. A tree and...
Category

1990s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Pastel

"Life Long Breezer, " Oil Pastel on Grocery Bag signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Life Long Breezer" is an original oil pastel drawing on grocery bag by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece lower left. It features a man on a motorcycle with a multi-colore...
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil Pastel, Found Objects

"Irate Individual" Oil Pastel Figirtive on Grocery Bag signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Irate Individual" is an original oil pastel drawing on a grocery bag by Reginald K. Gee. It features an abstracted angry figure on green and yellow. The artist signed the piece lowe...
Category

1990s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil Pastel, Found Objects

"Environmental Extremist Marries Maple Tree!; ..." Oil Pastel by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Environmental Extremist Marries Maple Tree!; Swears He's Perfectly Sane; Hints Toward Offspring Possibilities" is an original oil pastel drawing on board by Reginald K. Gee. The art...
Category

1990s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil Pastel

"The Wonder of Human Hand, " Pastel Portrait on Paper signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"The Wonder of Human Hand" is an original pastel drawing on paper by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece lower right. This piece features a blue-skinned man looking at his o...
Category

1990s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pastel

"I Adore This Part of the Country, " Oil Pastel on Grocery Bag by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"I Adore This Part of the Country" is an original oil pastel drawing on a grocery bag by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece on the back. It features two abstract figures in...
Category

1990s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil Pastel, Found Objects

"Leg & Shoe in Blue, " Oil Pastel on Grocery Bag signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Leg & Shoe in Blue" is an original oil pastel drawing on a grocery bag by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece on the back. It features a disconnected gray leg with a high-h...
Category

1990s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil Pastel, Found Objects

"The Plan Begins, " Oil Pastel on Grocery Bag signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"The Plan Begins" is an original oil pastel drawing on a grocery bag by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece lower right and dated it on the back. It features two abstracted ...
Category

1990s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil Pastel, Found Objects

Bodegon II - Contemporary, Still Life, Fruits, Light Blue, Yellow, Banana, Lemon
Located in Berlin, DE
Bodegon II, 2014 Tempera on paper (Signed, Framed) 27 3/5 H × 39 2/5 W in. 70 H x 100 W cm On the subject of his new works the artist stated: “There is not enough orange, yellow and...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Tempera, Paper

"Dedicated to Harold Washington, Mayor of Chicago, IL, USA, " by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Dedicated to Harold Washington, Mayor of Chicago, IL, USA" is an original oil pastel drawing on illustration board by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece on the back. It de...
Category

1990s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil Pastel, Illustration Board

"Okalikolo, " Abstract Expressionist Oil Pastel signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Okalikolo" is an original oil pastel drawing by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece on the left margin. This piece features an amalgamation of various abstract figures and ...
Category

1990s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil Pastel

Cocteau Aqua Atla #2235. Photo collage, 2018
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Cocteau Aqua Atla, #2235 by Natasha Zupan Photo Collage 43 in. H x 34 in. W One of a kind Signed lower right on recto by the artist 2018 _____________________________________ Natasha...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic, Photographic Paper, Color

"Two Former Loners Now, " Oil Pastel on Grocery Bag signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Two Former Loners Now" is an original oil pastel on a grocery bag by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece lower right. It features two people walking towards the viewer in m...
Category

1990s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil Pastel, Found Objects

BB #5#2
Located in Brecon, Powys
From the artist's 2017 Brigitte Bardot series Ink, lace + thread hand stitched on paper
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Thread, Ink

"Destiny Bridge, " Oil Pastel on Grocery Bag signed by Reginald K. Gee
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Destiny Bridge" is an original oil pastel on a grocery bag by Reginald K. Gee. The artist signed the piece lower right as well as signed and dated it on the back. This piece depicts...
Category

1990s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Oil Pastel, Found Objects

"Scaffolding, " Original Pen & Ink Drawing signed by David Barnett
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Scaffolding" is an original ink drawing by David Barnett, signed in the lower right corner. This minimal line drawing is a study of the form of a scaffold, reducing it to its most basic, geometric lines. The effect is something like the leaden bars of a stained-glass window. Art size: 14" x 10" Frame size: 17" x 13" DAVID J. BARNETT David Barnett, an artist, collector, appraiser and gallerist has been passionate about art from the early age of five. David’s career as an art dealer began at age nineteen when, as a fine arts student, he sponsored an exhibition of work by fellow student artists. In 1966, he opened his first gallery in a converted basement apartment at Wisconsin Avenue and 21st Street. In 1985 David moved his gallery from Wisconsin Avenue into the Old Button Mansion on State Street and has been active ever since. David’s talents for recognizing undervalued artists and for meeting the needs of art lovers, art collectors and artists have created a vibrant, flourishing gallery and collection of over 6,000 works of art. David was born and raised in Wisconsin. He has been painting in watercolors, acrylics, oil pastels as well as fine art photography. David has more than 10 different series he has developed over the years. They include Abstract, Surrealism, Morph Dog, Up North Birch Bark, Impressions of Mexico City, Southwest, Fireworks, Famous Artist Paying Homage and Garden Panorama. Influential artists include Vermeer, Miro, Kandinsky, Chagall, Nolde and Klee. David has been featured in many magazines, newspapers and public television programs regarding his beautiful gallery, collection and knowledge and passion of fine art. David also has work in the permanent collection Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Arizona. In November 2005, he opened his second studio gallery in Hartland, Wisconsin. Exhibits “Morph Dog Series”, David Barnett Gallery, 1996 “Renewal", Art Escape Gallery, Thiensville, WI, 2003 “Recent Watercolors", David Barnett Gallery, 2003, Lora D. Art Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2004 “Group Show”, Broden Gallery Ltd., Madison, WI, May-June 2004 "Homage to Kandinsky", David Barnett Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2014 Collections Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Scottsdale, AZ Private collections throughout the United States and around the world including collections in Wisconsin, Maryland, New York, Washington D.C., Arizona, Illinois, Florida, Kentucky. International collections in Brazil, Singapore and Hong Kong. Articles Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Barnett Gives His Work an Exhibit" by James Auer, November 1996 Exclusively Yours...
Category

1960s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink

Hercules after Carracci VI - 21st Century, Figurative Drawing, Yellow, Blue
Located in Berlin, DE
Hercules after Carracci VI , 2014 Tempera on paper (Framed, Signed on front) 27 3/5 H × 39 2/5 W in 70 H × 100 W cm On the subject of his new works the artist stated: “There is not...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Tempera

Time Check, Watercolor Painting by Alfredo Garzon
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Alfredo Garzon Title: Time Check Year: circa 1980 Medium: Watercolor on paper, signed Paper Size: 9.25 x 6.25 inches
Category

1980s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Djouher
Located in Paris, FR
One of a kind Drawing in large size.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal, Pastel

Dandelions Become Clouds (Unkraut stirbt nie)
Located in New York, NY
Zachari Logan “Dandelions Become Clouds (Unkraut stirbt nie)” 2022 Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity Blue pencil on paper 15 x 41.25 inche...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Color Pencil

Contemporary figurative drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Contemporary figurative drawings and watercolors available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add figurative drawings and watercolors created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, orange, yellow and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Leo Guida, Luis Miguel Valdes , Reginald K. Gee, and Renato Garza Cervera. Frequently made by artists working with Paper, and Paint and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Contemporary figurative drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 1.25 inches across are also available. Prices for figurative drawings and watercolors made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $60 and tops out at $70,894, while the average work sells for $907.

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