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.
to
441
1,652
680
499
252
198
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
4
1,119
2,159
1
1
7
18
35
84
394
183
178
4,896
3,282
586
386
321
253
205
203
166
154
54
53
48
45
1,921
1,168
190
2,118
1,243
1,157
748
736
611
458
304
271
164
136
118
105
86
85
85
70
69
69
67
1,874
1,319
1,123
902
800
302
99
80
80
68
778
1,193
1,547
1,378
Style: Contemporary
"In Search of New Beginnings", #1 What 's the Right Way
Located in Fairlawn, OH
"In Search of New Beginnings", #1 What 's the Right Way
Watercolor on Arches paper, 2021
signed lower right (see photo)
Signed with the artist's "Yummy" embossed blindstamp lower right
The images depicts the artist's daughter Emily, the artist's son Darius II and the artist's nephew Isaiah
Series: Baggage Claim
A preliminary watercolor for the sculpture commission for the Cleveland Public Library...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Chasing the Muse, abstracted face, color w black trompe l'oeil elements
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These collages were created first in the presence of a model, working quickly, in charcoal and pastel, and again, later, alone, furiously tearing and pasting images from magazines, v...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Archival Paper
Linda Stein, Knights Revisited 1029 - Contemporary Art Bright Colorful Drawing
Located in New York, NY
Linda Stein, Knights Revisited 1029 - Contemporary Art Bright Colorful Drawing
Linda Stein started her Knights of Protection series after she was forced to evacuate her New York dow...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Permanent Marker
Stolen Moments, Attitude Shift #1 (Emily and Sippy Cup Smiling)
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Stolen Moments, Attitude Shift #1 (Emily and Sippy Cup Smiling)
Watercolor on Twinrocker Multi Purpose paper, 2019
Signed with the artist's initials lowe...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Emily At 1 (Study 2)
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Emily At 1 (Study 2)
Watercolor on Yupo mounted to board, 2018
Signed with the artist's initials lower right (see photo)
This image depicts the artist's daughter Emily
Exhibited: Occ...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
8bit
By Sonny Assu
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Coming out of Sonny Assu's artist residency at the Institute of American Indian Arts, they have created a new body of work called the Santa Fe series. The artwork is filled with flui...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Mixed Media, Archival Paper
ETUDE COURANTE
Located in Aventura, FL
Original drawing on paper. Hand signed and dated by the artist. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Authenticity included. All reasonable offers will be considered.
Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink, Pencil
Well, that was unexpected
By Sonny Assu
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Coming out of Sonny Assu's artist residency at the Institute of American Indian Arts, they have created a new body of work called the Santa Fe series. The artwork is filled with flui...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Mixed Media, Archival Paper
Front Courtyard 988 - Contemporary Art Drawing Collage
Located in New York, NY
In 2000, Linda Stein began a series called Knights of Protection. Her Knights functioned both as defenders in battle and symbols of pacifism.
In 2019, Stein re-conceived her Kni...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink, Magazine Paper
Babies Taking Care of Babies, "The Real"
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Babies Taking Care of Babies, "The Real"
Watercolor on Arches paper, 2019
Signed with the artist's initials lower right
Signed with the artist's embossed "Yummy" blindstamp lower rig...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Melody
By Sonny Assu
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Coming out of Sonny Assu's artist residency at the Institute of American Indian Arts, they have created a new body of work called the Santa Fe series. The artwork is filled with flui...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Mixed Media, Archival Paper
Heron
By Sonny Assu
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Coming out of Sonny Assu's artist residency at the Institute of American Indian Arts, they have created a new body of work called the Santa Fe series. The artwork is filled with flui...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Mixed Media, Archival Paper
Skinny dipper
By Sonny Assu
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Coming out of Sonny Assu's artist residency at the Institute of American Indian Arts, they have created a new body of work called the Santa Fe series. The artwork is filled with flui...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Mixed Media, Archival Paper
Birdie Mae Sings the Blues surreal music birds saxophone trumpet autumn colors
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Part of a series of recent ABOUT Stephen Basso
Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are romantic, yet thought provoking fantasies. His whimsical works are al...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Pastel, Archival Paper
Salome - Lajos Szalay, 20th Century, Figurative drawing
By Lajos Szalay
Located in Paris, FR
Ink on paper
Unique work
Signed lower right by the artist
This work was executed by the Hungarian artist circa 1970.
Pablo Picasso said about Lajos Szalay : "He is the best designe...
Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Couple - Lajos Szalay, 20th Century, Figurative drawing
By Lajos Szalay
Located in Paris, FR
Ink on paper
Unique work
Signed lower left by the artist
This work was executed by the Hungarian artist circa 1970.
Pablo Picasso said about Lajos Szalay : "He is the best designer...
Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Read the Signs #29
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Read the Signs #29
Watercolor on Yupo paper, 2013
signed lower right: Darius Steward (see photo)
Series: Read the Signs
Depicts the artist's son Darius II an...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Read the Signs #25
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Read the Signs #25
Watercolor on Yupo paper, 2013
signed lower right: Darius Steward
Series: Read the Signs
Depicts Gwen, the artist's sister
An early work b...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
M
Located in Fairlawn, OH
M
Watercolor on Yupo paper, 2018
Signed with the artist's initials (see photo)
Note: The Series MORE? is centered around the artist’s family.
There are two images of the artist’s s...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Stolen Moments, Attitude Shift #3 (Emily with a Sippy Cup Smiling)
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Stolen Moments, Attitude Shift #3 (Emily with a Sippy Cup Smiling)
Watercolor on Yupo paper, 2019
Signed with the artist's initials lower right
Signed w...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Today's Sketches for Tomorrow, #1
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Today's Sketches for Tomorrow, #1
Watercolor, 2020
Series: Today's Sketches for Tomorrow
Signed with the artist's initials lower right
Signed with the artist's Yummy stamp lower righ...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
The evening gold Haude Bernabé 21st Century drawing Africa Contemporary art ocre
Located in Paris, FR
Triptyc : Ink on paper
Signed and dated lower right by the artist
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Linda Stein, Signature Formations 996 Contemporary 3D Sculptural Drawing Collage
Located in New York, NY
Linda Stein, Signature Formations 996 - Contemporary 3D Sculptural Drawing Collage
In 2000, Linda Stein began a series called Knights of Protection. ...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Cotton, Paper, Ink, Magazine Paper
Odes to the sun - Lajos Szalay, 20th Century, Figurative drawing
By Lajos Szalay
Located in Paris, FR
Ink on paper
Signed by the artist on the right
Unique work
Framed
This work was executed by the Hungarian artist circa 1970.
Pablo Picasso said about Lajos Szalay : "He is the grea...
Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Cheap and Dirty Ideal
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Through processes like transgression, confrontation and hybridization Renato Garza Cervera’s work questions and generates a series of reflections upon contemporary culture and relate...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Ink, Archival Paper
A Fairytale
Located in Wien, 9
Xenia Ostrovskaya was born on August 7, 1989 in Leningrad, Soviet Union. She lives and works in Vienna.
The artist explores ideas of heritage and belonging in her work, juxtaposing t...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Acrylic
Motherhood
Located in Wien, 9
Xenia Ostrovskaya was born on August 7, 1989 in Leningrad, Soviet Union. She lives and works in Vienna.
The artist explores ideas of heritage and belonging in her work, juxtaposing t...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Acrylic
Viennese Breakfast
Located in Wien, 9
Xenia Ostrovskaya was born on August 7, 1989 in Leningrad, Soviet Union. She lives and works in Vienna.
The artist explores ideas of heritage and belonging in her work, juxtaposing t...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Acrylic
Happily Ever After
Located in Wien, 9
Xenia Ostrovskaya was born on August 7, 1989 in Leningrad, Soviet Union. She lives and works in Vienna.
The artist explores ideas of heritage and belonging in her work, juxtaposing t...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Acrylic
A Prominent Greek Profile 997 - 3D Sculptural Drawing Collage
Located in New York, NY
In 2000, Linda Stein began a series called Knights of Protection. Her Knights functioned both as defenders in battle and symbols of pacifism.
In 2019, Stein re-conceived her Knights in a series called Knights, Revisited. A Prominent Greek Profile...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink, Cotton, Board, Magazine Paper
Yearbook
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Jay Alan Babcock is a St. Louis-based graphic designer and painter. His work exhibits his interest in the visual language of Americana, including old ...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Carbon Pencil
Saved by the bell
By Sonny Assu
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Coming out of Sonny Assu's artist residency at the Institute of American Indian Arts, they have created a new body of work called the Santa Fe series. The artwork is filled with flui...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Mixed Media, Archival Paper
King Tide
By Sonny Assu
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Coming out of Sonny Assu's artist residency at the Institute of American Indian Arts, they have created a new body of work called the Santa Fe series. The artwork is filled with flui...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Mixed Media, Archival Paper
Bob
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Arthur Pina de Alba, Cuban-American (1943)
Bob
Edition #2 of 7
iPad drawing printed on museum-quality archival pigment art paper.
Signed in print a...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Archival Pigment, Archival Paper, Digital Pigment
'Speak to My Heart No. 6' - figurative - black & white - cut paper - embrace
Located in Atlanta, GA
This piece is a black and white figurative work made of cut paper.
Jerushia Graham is an Atlanta-based artist whose work straddles various media, including printmaking, book arts and fiber arts...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Archival Paper
'Speak to My Heart No. 4' - figurative - black & white - cut paper - embrace
Located in Atlanta, GA
This piece is a black and white figurative work made of cut paper.
Jerushia Graham is an Atlanta-based artist whose work straddles various media, including printmaking, book arts and fiber arts...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Archival Paper
The grand father - Lajos Szalay, 20th Century, Figurative drawing
By Lajos Szalay
Located in Paris, FR
Ink on paper
Unique work
Signed, dated 1973 and situated NY lower right by the artist
This work was executed by the Hungarian artist in 1973 while he was living in New York, USA.
P...
Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Linda Stein, Figure and Profile Notations 993 - Contemporary Art Drawing Collage
Located in New York, NY
In 2000, Linda Stein began a series called Knights of Protection. Her Knights functioned both as defenders in battle and symbols of pacifism.
In 2019, Stein re-conceived her Kni...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink, Magazine Paper, Archival Pigment, Tape
Standing with Machinery 983 - Contemporary Art Collage
Located in New York, NY
In 2000, Linda Stein began a series called Knights of Protection. Her Knights functioned both as defenders in battle and symbols of pacifism.
In 2019, Stein re-conceived her Kni...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink, Magazine Paper
Calligraphy, Doodles and Japanese 977 - 3D Sculptural Drawing Collage
Located in New York, NY
In 2000, Linda Stein began a series called Knights of Protection. Her Knights functioned both as defenders in battle and symbols of pacifism.
In 2019, Stein re-conceived her Kni...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink, Cotton, Board, Pencil
A Season in Paris, Daniel - Lajos Szalay, 20th Century, Figurative drawing
By Lajos Szalay
Located in Paris, FR
Ink on paper
Signed and dated lower right by the artist
Unique work
Framed
This work was executed by the Hungarian artist in 1971 while he was staying in Paris.
Pablo Picasso said ...
Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Baggage Claim (Sketch #4)
Located in Fairlawn, OH
From the series: Baggage Claim, inspired by the death of the artist's mother. The reference to "Baggage" is symbolic to all the emotion and weight one acumulates through life and ho...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Woman and Taurus - Lajos Szalay, 20th Century, Figurative drawing
By Lajos Szalay
Located in Paris, FR
Ink on paper
Signed lower right by the artist
Unique work
Framed
This work was executed by the Hungarian artist circa 1970.
Pablo Picasso said about Lajos Szalay : "He is the best ...
Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Four Figures 985 - Contemporary Art Drawing Collage
Located in New York, NY
In 2000, Linda Stein began a series called Knights of Protection. Her Knights functioned both as defenders in battle and symbols of pacifism.
In 2019, Stein re-conceived her Kni...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Archival Paper, Ink
The couple / Disillusion - Lajos Szalay, 20th Century, Figurative drawing
By Lajos Szalay
Located in Paris, FR
Ink on paper
Unique work
Double face work
Framed
This work was executed by the Hungarian artist circa 1970.
Pablo Picasso said about Lajos Szalay : "He is the best designer in the ...
Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Moderate caress - Lajos Szalay, 20th Century, Figurative drawing
By Lajos Szalay
Located in Paris, FR
Ink on paper
Unique work
Framed
This work was executed by the Hungarian artist circa 1970.
Pablo Picasso said about Lajos Szalay : "He is the best designer in the world after mysel...
Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
Baggage Claim (Bags #1)
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Created in 2017 this series, Baggage Claim, speaks to the symbolic emotional weight one accumulates through life and how the accumulations weigh down the spirit. The artist used handbags...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
Nude woman (Blue): Original Contemporary Ink and Acrylic Drawing on Paper
Located in New York, NY
Alysha Grace Marko
Nude woman (Blue) 2022
22.5 x 28.5 in
Acrylic Paint
Suki ink and acrylic on paper. 22.5 x 28.5 in. This piece comes framed in a modern white frame with acrylic gl...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Acrylic
Italian Contemporary Art by Federica Frati - Santo Rocco 2
Located in Paris, IDF
Etching
Federica Frati is an Italian artist born in 1977 who lives lives and works in Brecia, Italy. She is graduated from art school Foppa where she learned the main artistic techn...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Etching
Chimes of midnight -Daniel Erban, 20th Century, Outsider art, Figurative drawing
By Daniel Erban
Located in Paris, FR
Ink on paper
Signed
Unique work
Category
1990s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Ink
'Speak to My Heart No. 3' - figurative - black & white - cut paper - embrace
Located in Atlanta, GA
This piece is a black and white figurative work made of cut paper.
Jerushia Graham is an Atlanta-based artist whose work straddles various media, including printmaking, book arts and fiber arts...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Archival Paper
Asteroid 2
Located in New York, NY
watercolor on paper
28"x40" (available framed)
Thomas Broadbent has shown extensively throughout the U.S. as well as internationally. Broadbent’s numerous solo exhibitions includ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Archival Paper, Watercolor
Farmhands by Yvon Pissarro - Figurative drawing
Located in London, GB
Farmhands by Yvon Pissarro (b. 1937)
Pencil on paper
56 x 76 cm (22 x 30 inches)
Signed below left end of stick, Yvon Vey
Executed 1982
Provenance
Studio of the Artist, Montpellier ...
Category
1980s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Pencil
Woman Sits and Looks About_America Martin_Blue Chalk on Paper_Figurative
Located in 326 N Coast Hwy. | Laguna Beach, CA
America Martin
"Woman Sits and Looks About"
Blue Chalk on Paper
30” x 28” Framed
AMERICA MARTIN is an internationally represented Colombian-American fine artist based in Los Angele...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Chalk
His & Hers
By Marc Swanson
Located in Houston, TX
Marc Swanson
His & Hers, 2017
graphite and collage on paper
13 7/8 x 10 7/8 in (35.2 x 27.6 cm) paper size
20 7/8 x 17 7/8 x 1 1/2 in (53 x 45.4 x 3.8 cm) frame size
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Archival Paper, Graphite
Georgian Contemporary Art by Nina Narimanishvili - She Lay in a Meadow 2/2
Located in Paris, IDF
Mixed media on handmade paper
Framed 28 x 22 x 3 cm
Nina Narimanishvili is a Georgian artist born in 1999 who lives and works in Tbilisi, Georgia. Nina has been painting since child...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Mixed Media
Georgian Contemporary Art by Nina Narimanishvili - She Lay in a Meadow 1/2
Located in Paris, IDF
Mixed media on handmade paper
Framed, 28 x 22 x 3 cm
Nina Narimanishvili is a Georgian artist born in 1999 who lives and works in Tbilisi, Georgia. Nina has been painting since chil...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Mixed Media
Tea for Two (Watercolor)
Located in Aventura, FL
Original watercolor on paper. Hand signed on front by Tarkay. Sheet size 15 x 11 inches. Frame size approx 21 x 17 inches.
Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Authenticity included. All reasonable offers will be considered.
About the Artist: Itzchak Tarkay (Israeli, 1935–2012) was a painter known for his Post-Impressionist portraits done in watercolor and acrylic. Influenced by the work of both Henri Matisse and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Tarkay’s expressive, use of color lent a dream-like quality to his serigraphs, prints, and paintings. Born in 1935 in Subotica, Serbia, Tarkay and family settled in Israel after Allied forces freed them from a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. The artist went on to study at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem and later the Avni Institute of Art and Design in Tel Aviv. Later in life, Tarkay mentored younger Israeli artists, including Yaacov Agam and Yuval Wolfson...
Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
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.