Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
REALIST STYLE
Realist art attempts to portray its subject matter without artifice. Similar to naturalism, authentic realist paintings and prints see an integration of true-to-life colors, meticulous detail and linear perspectives for accurate portrayals of the world.
Work that involves illusionistic techniques of realism dates back to the classical world, such as the deceptive trompe l’oeil used since ancient Greece. Art like this became especially popular in the 17th century when Dutch artists like Evert Collier painted objects that appeared real enough to touch. Realism as an artistic movement, however, usually refers to 19th-century French realist artists such as Honoré Daumier exploring social and political issues in biting lithographic prints, while the likes of Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet painting people — particularly the working class — with all their imperfections, navigating everyday urban life. This was a response to the dominant academic art tradition that favored grand paintings of myth and history.
By the turn of the 20th century, European artists, such as the Pre-Raphaelites, were experimenting with nearly photographic realism in their work, as seen in the attention to every botanical attribute of the flowers surrounding the drowned Ophelia painted by English artist John Everett Millais.
Although abstraction was the guiding style of 20th-century art, the realism trend in American modern art endured in Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyeth and other artists’ depictions of the complexities of the human experience. In the late 1960s, Photorealism emerged with artists like Chuck Close and Richard Estes giving their paintings the precision of a frame of film.
Contemporary artists such as Jordan Casteel, LaToya Ruby Frazier and Aliza Nisenbaum are now using the unvarnished realist approach for honest representations of people and their worlds. Alongside traditional mediums, technology such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and immersive installations are helping artists create new sensations of realism in art.
Find authentic realist paintings, sculptures, prints and more art on 1stDibs.
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Style: Realist
Black Bear Cub
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original pencil drawing signed by the Artist on the lower right corner.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Woodpecker on a feeder at an Audubon preserve :: Painting :: Realism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: No :: Sig...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Hanging on in Tracy, California
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork "Hanging on in Tracy, California" 2003 Is a watercolor on paper by Filipino artist Ephraim Samson, b.1947. It is signed and dated at the lo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
A Summer Day, Stanford
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork "A Summer Day, Stanford" 2003 Is a watercolor on paper by Filipino artist Ephraim Samson, b.1947. It is signed and dated at the lower right...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Ankylosaur Bony Armor, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Painted from actual fossil; Paint mixed with ground charcoal matrix from working fossil quarry in Utah; painted on 300 lb cold press watercolor paper. I volunteer as a fossil prepar...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Marsupite Fossil, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Watercolor painting of fossil marsupite from museum specimen on 300 lb cold press paper. Working as a volunteer fossil preparator at an awesome natural history museum, I have le...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Mammoth Enamel Dental Plate, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Watercolor painting of museum specimen mammoth enamel dental plate, on 300 lb cold press paper. Working as a volunteer fossil preparator at an awesome natural history museum, I hav...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Bostrychoceras Fossil, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Bostrychoceras Fossil from museum specimen, watercolor on 300 lb cold press paper. Working as a volunteer fossil preparator at an awesome natural history museum, I have learned t...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Early 19th Century French Salon Portrait Drawings, a Pair
Located in Rochester, NY
Pair of antique classical French salon drawings. Charcoal on paper. Illegibly signed. In giltwood frames, early 19th century.
# grand tour
Category
Early 19th Century Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Charcoal
Fog Lifting at Avalanche Lake, Drawing, Pastels on Pastel Sandpaper
Located in Yardley, PA
Inspired by a hike on the Trail of Cedars at Glacier National Park. :: Drawing :: Realism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Rea...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pastel
Saudi Arabia King Faisal Time Magazine Cover - Man of The Year Study
By Bob Peak
Located in Miami, FL
Master portrait artist and illustration legend Bob Peak captures the likeness, dignity and essence of Saudi Arabia's King Faisal for Time Magazine Cover ...
Category
1970s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pastel, Archival Paper
Roberto Clemente, Drawing, Charcoal on Paper
By David Sipko
Located in Yardley, PA
This is a portrait of Roberto Clemente. Along with being one of the greatest to ever play the game, he was also a great humanatarian. He used his place in baseball to serve others....
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Charcoal
Redâ€s Raft Retired, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
This old cabin cruiser was dry docked for repairs while my wife and I were visiting Crystal River, Fl., so I took a photo of it. It had promise for a pai...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Ice lolly: summer, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
This piece calls on memories of sensational summers and glorious holidays. The piece was inspired by my memories of being a child and putting down my ice lolly and watching as the su...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil
Fallen sequins, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Please note the background of this piece is white. This hyperrealist pencil drawing presents something familiar, nostalgic and humble as a jewel, something noteworthy bringing att...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil
Distant barn, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
A view of a country barn looking through the long porch of an old country house. :: Painting :: Realism :: This piece comes with an official certificat...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
STUDY OF A BEGGAR
Located in Portland, ME
Blampied, Edmund. STUDY OF A BEGGAR. Drawing, charcoal on paper, circa 1930s. Signed within the image. 11 1/8 x 8 3/4 inches, 282 x 218 mm. The gray paper has faded to tan, else in v...
Category
Mid-20th Century Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Charcoal
$880 Sale Price
20% Off
Blue Crocodile Skin Handbag: A Drawing, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Please note that the background colour is white. This , pencil drawing captures all the texture and vibrancy of the crocadile skin handbag. From the stitching around the edges to ...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil
Safety First, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Please note that the background colour is white. This piece finds beauty in the seemingly mundane, elevating a everyday object to a monumental jewel like status buy playing with s...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil
Broken Fist
Located in New York, NY
Broken Fist, 2016
Charcoal on paper
30 x 40 cm
Signed and dated
Kanarelis presents a journey towards the truth, a truth bound to a genuine subjective point of view of the familiar a...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Charcoal, Archival Paper
Lily_01, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
By Helal Uddin
Located in Yardley, PA
This is one of my studio paintings. Trying to capture nature of beauty. I love watercolor because it’s a very challenging medium. I used Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors with wo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
The River Wye. Chepstow to Rhayader, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
The River Wye. Chepstow to Rhayader. Twenty seven different paintings along the 150 mile journey of the Wye including Hereford, Monmouth, Ross on Wye, Tintern Abbey...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Rococo portrait Nude lady in Royal mantle Early 20th century Pastel drawing
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lady with a porcelain-delicate toasty face, enchants with playful and refined coquetry. The lively movability of the artist's stroke conveys with all tangibility the reflections and the play of light on the surface of the blue satin, and the airiness of the underwear. The professionalism of this work captures with its imagination, grace and harmony of colors. By an unidentified professional painter, vintage pastel drawing...
Category
Early 20th Century Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Wood, Paper, Pastel
Behind The Door, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Close up of a mysterious front door, with broken windows on an abandoned old house surrounded by bushes and overgrowth. :: Painting :: Realism :: This piece comes with an official c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Chroessi Schnell - "Deer in the Seat of Fire" - realistic neo-expressionist
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Chroessi Schnell - "Deer in the Seat of Fire".
Eealistic Neoexpressionism.
Abstract forrest in fire with deer, from the series "Animal Souls", in which the artist deals with wild a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Shrimp Boat Eagle, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
This realistic rendering of a shrimp fishing boat caught my eye because of its unusual hull and the outriggers were partially lowered with the wooden doors up. The nets look like curtains. It was from Biloxi, Ms. and anchored in Tampa Bay, Florida. I loved the colors and overall image of this old work horse...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Peony_01, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
By Helal Uddin
Located in Yardley, PA
This is one of my studio paintings. Trying to capture nature of beauty. I love watercolor because it’s a very challenging medium. I used Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors with wo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Sketch of a Man with Mustache and Hat by Philadelphia Artist Julius Bloch
By Julius Bloch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Julius Thiengen Bloch
(American, born Germany, 1888–1966)
Man with Mustache and Hat
Crayon on paper, 6 x 4 1/2 inches
FRAMED: 12 x 11 inches (approx.)
Si...
Category
Mid-20th Century Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Crayon
Eagle Study from Take Flight
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
One of a kind, original pencil drawing on paper by Thomas Blackshear II.
Framed Dimensions: 11.25" X 9.25"
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil
Tranquility, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
A mid winter painting with an ominous dark sparsely snow covered tree in the foreground on a blustery, atmospheric day. :: Painting :: Realism :: This piece comes with an official c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Mystery Light, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
A mysterious light coming from an old house window on a moody dusk evening with dark trees in the background. :: Painting :: Realism :: This piece comes...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Winter Road, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
A snow covered road in the middle of winter with early morning light shining through. All paintings are completed on 140 to 300lb acid free watercolour paper and using the best arti...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Resting Red, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Subtle and relaxed notions for this painting done from life. This is a beautiful work - spontaneous and clean. :: Painting :: Realism :: This piece comes with an official certificat...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Candy Crush Caramel Apples, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
By Lynne Atwood
Located in Yardley, PA
Caramel apples loaded with sweet toppings such as: coconut, chopped nuts, Oreo cookie pieces,and jellies. Colorful, fun and mouth watering! :: Painting ::...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Over the Hill, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
An uphill country gravel road with remnants of snow and long shadows. All paintings are completed on 140 to 300lb acid free watercolour paper and using the best artist quality water...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Master Lock, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Master Lock on an old barn :: Painting :: Realism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to Hang: N...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
US Mail, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Old US Mail Box from the late 1800's :: Painting :: Realism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the artist :: Ready to H...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Inside Out, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
A view looking out of a weathered, old abandoned house with bright sunlight shining in from outside. :: Painting :: Realism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of auth...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Over the edge, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
A tree growing over the edge of a ravine with branches and roots exposed from eroding earth. :: Painting :: Realism :: This piece comes with an official certificate of authenticity ...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Hyperrealist Charcoal on Archival Paper Botanic Artwork "Ruschia Crassa"
Located in Cape Town, ZA
In Henk Serfontein's recent series of charcoal drawings, Fragile Flora, he continues his investigation into the fragile, the intimate and the ethereal. In his plant portraits he capt...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Charcoal, Mixed Media, Archival Paper
Chinatown Shop Window, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Still life of objects found in a Chinatown window. The custom made frame has motifs from the painting extending on to it. :: Painting :: Realism :: This piece comes with an officia...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Hidden Barn, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Rustic old barn hidden among trees somewhere in the countryside. All paintings are completed on 140 to 300lb acid free watercolour paper and using the best artist quality watercolo...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Lonley Home, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
A Rural house hidden behind some trees on top of a hill with a dirt road in the foreground. All paintings are completed on 140 to 300lb acid free watercolour paper and using the be...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Spirit Tree, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Ominous bare tree protruding above a dark tree line with an intense colorful sunrise behind it. All paintings are completed on 140 to 300lb acid free watercolour paper and using t...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
THE SHALLOWS, Painting, Watercolor on Watercolor Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Where the large rocks meet the shoreline of Georgian Bay, Ontario. All paintings are completed on 140 to 300lb acid free watercolour paper and using the ...
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Armenian Contemporary Art by Kamsar Ohanyan - December
Located in Paris, IDF
Pencil on paper
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil, Handmade Paper
Wildlife drawing of jay bird of light blue by enlightened british painter
Located in Milan, IT
Peter Paillou (c.1720 – c.1790) was a British artist best known for his paintings of birds, many of which were used as book illustrations. He gained repute in the 18th century as a natural history painter and illustrator. He was employed by two leading naturalists and antiquarians of the time, Taylor White (1701-1772) and Thomas Pennant (1726-1798). He illustrated the latter's British Zoology and decorated the hall at Downing, Pennant's house in Flintshire, with several pictures of birds...
Category
18th Century Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Tempera, Watercolor
Stromness, Orkney drawing by Claude Muncaster
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of paintings from Claude Muncaster's studio. To find more scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this seller."
Claude Munca...
Category
1950s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Armenian Contemporary Art by Kamsar Ohanyan - Lisa
Located in Paris, IDF
Watercolor and pencil on paper
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil, Handmade Paper, Watercolor
Rebekka / - Rebekka's Appearance -
Located in Berlin, DE
Emil Wachter (1921 Neuburgweiser - 2012 Karlsruhe), Rebekka, 1987. Watercolor mounted on cardboard, 13.5 (height) x 14 cm (width). Signed “E.[mil] Wa[chter]” in pencil within the ima...
Category
1980s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper
Still-life with Loaf of Bread
Located in New York, NY
Untitled, Still-life, 2014
Graphite on paper
76 x 50 cm
Nikos Kanarelis was born in Athens, Greece in 1975 where he now lives and works. Βetween 1999 and 2004 he studied at the pai...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Archival Paper, Graphite
Armenian Contemporary Art by Kamsar Ohanyan - Holiday
Located in Paris, IDF
Pencil on paper
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil, Handmade Paper
Armenian Contemporary Art by Kamsar Ohanyan - Dancing
Located in Paris, IDF
Pencil on paper
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil, Handmade Paper
Harry Attwood - 1930s British Design for a Mural - The Resurrection
Located in London, GB
HARRY CARLETON ATTWOOD
(1907-1985)
Resurrection – Mural Design for Eltham Hall
Signed with initials, dated and inscribed l.c.: Designs for Eltham Hall / 17/4/36 / HCA
Watercolour ...
Category
1930s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Sunderland Flying Boat R.A.A.F. Attacking Italian U Boat
By Roland Davies
Located in New York, NY
Original monochrome gouache illustration for the Sphere No. 2215. London, July 4, 1942.
Category
1940s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Armenian Contemporary Art by Kamsar Ohanyan - Village
Located in Paris, IDF
Pencil on paper
Category
2010s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pencil, Handmade Paper
Juvenile Delinquency
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original colored pencil drawing signed by the Artist on the lower right hand corner.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Color Pencil
Claude Muncaster: The Bow Wash Maritime Art watercolour
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of paintings from Claude Muncaster's studio. To find more scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this seller."
Claude Munca...
Category
1950s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Contemporary colorful Pastel Groomed Garden Landscape flowers trees sky signed
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"In The Beginning 5" is an original pastel drawing by Victoria Ryan. It depicts lush gardens with flower beds and tree nurseries. The sunlight casts beautiful blue shadows and the sk...
Category
1990s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel
Claude Muncaster: Storm, City of Exeter, Ellerman Line - Biscay 1948 watercolour
Located in London, GB
We acquired a series of paintings from Claude Muncaster's studio. To find more scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this seller."
Claude Munca...
Category
1940s Realist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Realist drawings and watercolor paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Realist drawings and watercolor paintings 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 drawings and watercolor paintings created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, orange, purple, green and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Victor Roschkov, Carl August Walther, Gustave Poetzsch, and Frank Girard. Frequently made by artists working with Paint, and Watercolor and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Realist drawings and watercolor paintings, so small editions measuring 0.1 inches across are also available. Prices for drawings and watercolor paintings 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 $61 and tops out at $985,000, while the average work sells for $899.