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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
Period: 1940s
My Husbands Former Girl Friends - First Black Illustrator/ Cartoonist
Located in Miami, FL
Cuties Cartoon Strip - E. Simms Campbell My Husband Former Girl Friends - First Black Illustrator/ Cartoonist,
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink, Board

Two Figures on a Boat
Located in New York, NY
Two Figures on a Boat Graphite on paper 5.75 x 6.25 inches (14.6 x 15.9 cm) This work is offered by CLAMP in New York City.
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Graphite, Paper

Various Studies of Figures on a Boat
Located in New York, NY
Various Studies of Figures on a Boat Graphite on paper 6 x 8.5 inches This work is offered by CLAMP in New York City.
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Graphite, Paper

View of Reichenau - Watercolour - 1945
Located in Roma, IT
View of Reichenau is an Original Watercolor realized by an unknown artis in 1945. The beautiful artwork is in good condition included a yellowed cardboard passpartout (30x42 cm). M...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Sleeping Woman - Original Charcoal Drawing by Serge Fontinsky - 1940s
Located in Roma, IT
Sleeping Woman is a black and white charcoal drawing realized by Serge Fontinsky (1887-1971) in the half of the 20th Century. Good conditions but top left of sheet missing. Hand-s...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal

Lying Figure - Original Charcoal on Paper - 1940s
Located in Roma, IT
Lying Figure is an original charcoal drawing on paper realized by Leo Guida in 1970s. The dry label is present on the upper right corner. Dimensions: cm...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Charcoal

Cityscape - Original Pencil on Paper - 1943
Located in Roma, IT
Cityscape is an original drawing in pencil on paper realized in 1943 by an Anonymous artist of the Mid-20 Century. Hand-signed illegible-dated 43. T...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pencil

Figures - Original Pencil on Paper - 1940s
Located in Roma, IT
Figures is an original drawing in pencil realized by an Anonymous artist active in 1940 ca. Sheet dimension: 22 x 32 The state of preservation is aged. with some cutaways and diffu...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pencil

View of Reims - Original Lithograph on Paper - 1940 ca.
Located in Roma, IT
Reims is an original lithograph on paper realized in 1940 ca. by an Anonymous artist of the 20th Century The State of preservation is very good. Titled on the lower right. Applie...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Lithograph

The Carousel - China Ink Drawing by Renzo Vespignani - 1949
Located in Roma, IT
The Carousel is an original Modern Artwork realized in 1949 by the Italian artist Renzo Vespignani (Rome, 1924 - Rome, 2001). Original black ink and pen on ivory paper. Hand-sign...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink

CIM Glass Palace in Rome - Original Watercolor by A. Ciarrocchi - 1948
Located in Roma, IT
CIM Glass Palace in Rome is an original drawing artwork in watercolor on ivory paper realized by the Italian artist Arnoldo Ciarrocchi in 1948 ca.. Hand-signed on the lower right. ...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Gloom - Original Pencil Drawing by S. Goldberg - 1940
Located in Roma, IT
Gloom is an original drawing in pencil on paper realized by Simon Goldberg (1913-1985). Hand-signed in pencil on the lower right. The state of preservation is very good. aSheet dim...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pencil

Children in the Garden - China Ink Drawing by Renzo Vespignani - 1949
Located in Roma, IT
Children in the Garden is an original Modern Artwork realized in 1949 by the Italian artist Renzo Vespignani (Rome, 1924 - Rome, 2001). Original China Ink and black pencil on ivory paper. Hand-signed and dated by the artist on the lower right corner in pencil: Vespignani 1949. Excellent conditions. Interesting Neorealistic china ink drawing on ivory paper depicting two children in a garden. The strokes of the work are very intense and there is a very high chiaroscuro. The couple is surrounded by plants and palms in vases and the little girl in the foreground wears a nice hat...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink

Couple of Figures in the Nature - China Ink Drawing by Renzo Vespignani - 1949
Located in Roma, IT
Couple of Figures in the Nature is an original Modern Artwork realized in 1949 by the Italian artist Renzo Vespignani (Rome, 1924 - Rome, 2001). Original black China ink and pen on...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink

Nude - Mixed Media on Paper by J.-R. Delpech - 1942
Located in Roma, IT
Nude is an original drawing in tempera and watercolor a on paper, realized by Jean Delpech (1988-1916). Hand-signed and date 1942, on the lower right. The state of preservation of t...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor, Tempera

Sleeping Girl - Charcoal Drawing and watercolor by S. Fontinsky - 1940s
Located in Roma, IT
Sleeping Girl is a black and white charcoal drawing realized by Serge Fontinsky (1887-1971) in the half of the 20th Century. The artwork represents a p...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal

Portrait - Original Charcoal Drawing by Serge Fotinsky - 1943
Located in Roma, IT
Portrait is a black and white charcoal drawing realized by Serge Fontinsky (1887-1971) in 1943. Hand-signed and dated on the lower margin. The sheet is glued on passepartout (light...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal

Apache Woman on Horseback, by Allan Houser, Haozous, painting, paper, horse
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Apache Woman on Horseback, by Allan Houser, Haozous, painting, paper, horse Painting on paper from 1946 by master artist Allan Houser. Ft. Sill Chi...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

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It's Easier Said Than Done
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David Rathman is known for his sensitively rendered paintings of stereotypically male motifs from American history and contemporary culture. He was the recipient of a Bush Foundatio...
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2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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MB 827 (Contemporary Life Drawing of Two Nude Males by Mark Beard)
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic life drawing of two nude males with charcoal and graphite by Mark Beard, "MB 827" graphite, Conte crayon and charcoal on Arches paper 29.75 x 21.75 inches unframed Signed, l...
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Sans titre I
Located in Paris, FR
one of a kind drawing.
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21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Woman at Rest, Nude Female, Pastel and Charcoal Drawing on Green Paper
Located in Chicago, IL
The loose style of this drawing comes together quickly to convey the relaxed state of this nude female. The pastel accents bring a beautiful warmth to this drawing. Christopher Ganz Woman at Rest, 2013 pastel and charcoal on green paper 23h x 18w in 58.42h x 45.72w cm CG0062 -ARTIST STATEMENT- I depict my person in multiplicity with different selves representing dramatis personae. My likeness is both implicit and symbolic in the portrayal of my narrative; the drama involved in creating art and the artist’s role in society. I use realism to invite the viewer into mysterious inner worlds that are layered reflections of the outer. Dehumanizing environments are imbued with art historical references as a critique of power structures. The artist is an Everyman who is at odds with society and his self. Visually my work is a celebration of society’s dark undercurrents and its overlooked absurdities. I use charcoal and printmaking media as their tenebrous values add a fitting metaphor. The nuances of light and shadow seduce viewers into a world their better judgment would have them avoid. This provokes a sense of disquietude that causes viewers to assess our world through the austerity of a colorless, yet not humorless, light. -BIO- Christopher Ganz grew up in Northeast Ohio and from early on had a fertile imagination and an interest in art. Christopher's artistic education truly began at the University of Missouri, where his love of the human form led to many figure drawing classes and his exposure to the wonders of printmaking. Christopher's then went onto graduate school at Indiana University and a summer abroad program in Italy was a dream realized. Christopher then grasped charcoal with a renewed vigor and large, sfumato-laden drawings ensued. Christopher's artistic influences are many; from a seminal exposure to Dore's engravings of the Divine Comedy, to Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Goya, and up to Lucian Freud, Mark Tansey...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal, Paper, Pastel

MB 702 (Contemporary Life Drawing of Male Nude by Mark Beard)
Located in Hudson, NY
MB 702 (Contemporary Life Drawing of Male Nude by Mark Beard) graphite, Conte crayon and charcoal on Arches paper 30 x 19 inches unframed Con...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Conté, Charcoal, Archival Paper, Graphite

MB 085A (Contemporary Life Drawing of Nude Male by Mark Beard)
Located in Hudson, NY
Academic life drawing of male nude with charcoal and graphite by Mark Beard, "MB 085A" graphite, Conte crayon and charcoal on Arches paper 30 x 18.5 inches unframed Signed, lower rig...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Who needs a mammoth - Book illustration, Polish artist, Watercolor painting
Located in Warsaw, PL
Illustration for book by Agnieszka Frączek 'Who needs a mammoth' JOANNA RUSINEK Printmaker, illustrator of children's books, author of press ill...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Pencil

Freya (Seated Backwards), Mixed media on grey board
Located in London, GB
Howard Tangye (b.1948, Australia) has been an influential force in fashion for decades. Lecturing at London’s Central Saint Martins for 35 years, including 16 years as head of BA Wom...
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2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Other Medium, Archival Paper, Handmade Paper, Pen, Felt Pen, Permanent M...

Haitian Village
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork "Haitian Village" 1996 is a watercolor on paper by noted Haitian artist Martino Dorce, b.1943. It is signed and dated at the lower right cor...
Category

Late 20th Century Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Haitian Village
Haitian Village
H 39.25 in W 32 in D 0.85 in
Jake W. (Before Paris II), Mixed media on Fabriano paper
Located in London, GB
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Felt Pen, Pencil, Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil, Graphite, Gesso, Pigment,...

Little war - Book illustration, Polish artist, Watercolor painting
Located in Warsaw, PL
Illustration for book by Katarzyna Ryrych 'Little war' JOANNA RUSINEK Printmaker, illustrator of children's books, author of press illustrations...
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Inchino- 21st Century Contemporary Charcoal Drawing of a horse head
Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant
Rosanna Gaddoni Inchino 65 x 50 cm ( framed in wood frame with museum glass) Measurement with included frame: 80 x 60 cm Italian artist Rosanna Gaddon...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Handmade Paper, Charcoal

Previously Available Items
Portrait - Original Pen on Paper by Maurice Rouzee - 1946
Located in Roma, IT
Portrait is an original drawing in pen on paper realized by Maurice Rouzee. Hand signed and dated 1946. Good conditions, with some rips on the margins. The artwork represents a po...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pen

Winter Tree - Original Charcoal Drawing by Serge Fontinsky - 1940s
Located in Roma, IT
Winter Tree is a black and white charcoal drawing realized by Serge Fontinsky (1887-1971) in the half of the 20th Century. Good conditions . Hand-signed on the lower margin.
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal

Landscape - Watercolor on Paper - 1946
Located in Roma, IT
Landscape is an original artwork realized in 1946 by the artist Andrè Lebois. Original watercolor on thick paper. The artwork is hand-signed and dated on the lower right margin. ...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Man in the Cafè - Original Ink Drawing by Renzo Vespignani - 1947
Located in Roma, IT
Man in the Cafè is an original artwork realized in 1947 by Renzo Vespignani. China ink with watercolor on paper. Titled, hand-signed and dated on the lower right: Signore Vespigna...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Ink

Karoune - 1940s - Emile Deschler - Painting - Contemporary
Located in Roma, IT
Karoune is an original tempera and watercolor on paper. Hand-signed on the lower left. Located and dated on the lower right. Very good conditions. Emile Deschler (France, 1910 - 199...
Category

1940s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pastel, Cardboard

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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