Realist More Art
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.
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21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Golden autumn leaves blanket the paths of Central Park, setting the stage for a romantic stroll. A couple walks closely, sharing a blue umbrella while leaving a...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
"This work is a representation of the unadorned beauty of nature," shares artist Jose Luis Bermudez. The clear blue sky stre...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Two modern buildings, one raw sienna, and the other white, stand side by side against a deep blue sky. The daylight in the background contrasts with the struc...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
At an intersection in Santa Monica, silence holds sway beneath a rapturous composition of clouds at sunset.
About the Artist
Jesse’s scenes of Los ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Waves crash against a rocky coastline under the glow of a luminous silver moon. A lone tree clings to the cliff's edge, defying the elements. The vibrant inte...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Nestled amidst the vibrant foliage, Jackson Creek emerges as the centerpiece of artist Kent Sullivan's realistic piece. The flowing water possesses an idyllic allure amidst the lush landscape, reflecting the verdant bounty that thrives along its banks. The meeting of land and water echoes the harmonious balance co-existing within this ecologically diverse region. The work serves as a poetic reminder of the profound beauty lying within reach and demanding our respect. With every delicate brushstroke, Kent invites us to reflect on the value of nature's magnificence and our shared responsibility to protect and cherish these invaluable treasures.
About the Artist
There are more places Kent Sullivan would like to paint than he ever will be able. Employing many of the Hudson River School methods in his landscapes, Kent captures the ephemeral interactions of clouds, sun and earth with his delicate use of color and gesture. His work is published in two prominent books: "Art of the National Parks" and "Picturing Florida." He has lectured at museums and been sought after by many large corporations. “Several years ago I had the incredible fortune of being part of the NASA art program. Five paintings are now part of the Smithsonian Collection. At one gathering at the Kennedy Space Center...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Three juicy cherries line up on a table, with the light enhancing their luminous and vibrant color. The sharp and detailed rendition of the fruit imparts a re...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
An enormous wave crashes against a buttress of weathered stone. It signals a storm brewing in the cold ocean depths despite the cloudless, calm sky. The winds...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A banjo rests on a sunlit step beside a glass of wine and a bouquet of flowers. A weathered wooden door and cracked wall behind it add rustic charm. Rich, class...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
An abandoned house stands in solitude atop a mountain, its peeling paint and broken roof telling stories of time gone by. Wildflowers scatter around. Twisted tr...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Jesse Aldana presents a skyscape from a ground-level angle in realistic detail. White clouds, flattened in their haste, race across the sky. It leaves ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A house proudly stands against a fiery sky, its weathered walls and darkened windows hinting at stories left untold. Artist Art Clark drew inspiration from his ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
The sea exudes an atmosphere of comfort and peace at sunset. The water mirrors the glorious colors of the sky, creating a captivating display of light. The re...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A rustic blue cottage, weathered by time, nestles among vibrant wildflowers. It was once the home of a widow who lost her loving hus...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A wintry country road stretches into the distance, evoking a sense of serenity and isolation. Bare trees and snow-covered fields frame the scene. Tire tracks ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Brightly colored brown eggs rest on top of a rustic safe, depicting them as treasures. It is a thought-provoking still-life that questions the price of food in ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A railway stop stands beside the tracks, its weathered wood and faded paint showing years of wear. Bright autumn foliage surrounds it, contrasting with the mist...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Towering coconut palm trees stretch into a vibrant blue sky, their fronds swaying gently in the breeze. Expressive strokes and texture bring out the details o...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
This still-life arrangement of Granny Smith apples resembles a family portrait. Thoughtfully composed to guide the eye, the grouping of fruit evokes the warmt...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Late 19th Century Realist More Art
Oil
1890s Realist More Art
Bronze
Artist Comments
A calico cat displays its endearing charm. Painted in a realist style, artist Shuxing Fan portrays the curious gaze of his son's feline friend, with its eyes ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Early 1900s Realist More Art
Marble
Artist Comments
A heron stands quietly beside beached logs, overlooking the water between Beer Can Island and Coquina Beach. The morning sun casts a warm light on the distant...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
20th Century Realist More Art
Color, Offset
Artist Comments
Artist Jesse Aldana presents a peaceful grassland with a well-trodden path leading inward. Inspired by two early morning spring hikes—the background comes f...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Jose Luis Bermudez presents a tranquil lake bathed in a radiant golden light. "The atmosphere envelops this setting, providing a sense of stability and connection to the earth," says Jose Luis. The water reflects a magical and captivating effect as the sun sits low in the sky, just above the trees. Plants reach for the last rays, vibrant and full of life, while the atmosphere glows with deep yellow hues. Jose Luis invites the viewer to contemplate nature's fleeting beauty and appreciate the magic that can exist in a single moment. The painting arrives with a thin white floating frame.
About the Artist
Artist Jose Luis Bermudez brings to life natural sceneries with breathtaking detail. His realistic oil paintings invite the viewer into a captivating, serene world of golden sunsets and peaceful wetlands. “I offer a fragment of my existence, where you can escape from daily life, visit beautiful scenes and moments, or simply recall a fond memory,†says Jose Luis. Graduating in 2008 with a BA from the San Alejandro School of Fine Arts in Havana, Cuba, he later shared his expertise as a painting teacher at his alma mater. In 2014, he took the leap and moved to Miami, Florida, seeking better opportunities. The decision did not come easy for Jose Luis to leave his home country. Yet, he encountered career obstacles that made him feel artists lacked the resources and opportunities for broader impact, access to more information, and improved working conditions. These challenges became the catalyst for his bold decision to make the move. Today, he paints in a spacious, well-lit studio, which he keeps clean and organized, always accompanied by piano or instrumental music. When he is not painting, he loves connecting with nature. He travels outside the city to places removed from everyday life, breathing fresh air and listening to self-improvement audio books to charge him with energy and continue.
Words that describe this painting: nature, lake, sunset, sun, water, realism, oilpaint, reflection, large, warm, grass, foliage, woods, evening, nature, realism, oil painting, yellow
Golden Glow...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Mist lingers over the distant ocean, softening the horizon and capturing the mystic beauty of Monhegan Island in the early morning. Waves and currents weave thr...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
A yellow rubber duck carries a cupcake on its back. The dark blue and purple background enhances the warm tones of the subjects. The composition exudes both s...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Canvas, Linen, Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Elizabeth Garat paints a realistic vision of twilight in a dramatic skyscape. Clouds glazed in rich tones of plum, white, and deep orange dominate the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Jose Luis Bermudez paints a realistic landscape with a clear dawn sky over a vibrant ecosystem of plants. On the hori...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
In this serene study of a cloud-filled sky, artist Jill Poyerd captures a sense of depth through the gradual texture change in the receding horizon. The soft,...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A white farmhouse sits quietly beneath a gray sky, its brick chimneys contrasting against the muted backdrop. A red tractor rests in the golden field. Artist ...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
2010s Realist More Art
Canvas, Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
A pair of little woodpeckers perch on opposite sides of a branch, busy probing the small holes they've made for fresh tree sap. The intricate features of their plumage and the textured bark create a striking contrast against the stark white background. Rendered in vibrant colors and fine detail, artist Emil Morhardt brings this charming scene to life.
About the Artist
Emil Morhardt is an acrylic painter from Santa Barbara, California who expresses his passion for birds through realistic acrylic paintings. He paints at home in a studio room that has large windows and a north-facing view of the mountains. He observes the animals from this window, watching roadrunners, foxes, bobcats, deer, and coyote run by. Surrounded by this wildlife, Emil paints bird portraits reminiscent of those by artist John James Audubon. He bases his paintings off hundreds of photographs he takes of birds in the wild and at wildlife recovery centers. Emil captures the freedom and inquisitiveness that birds display...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A bright blue sky stretches over a scalloped coastline. Safe in the rookery below the cliffs, elephant seals bask in the sun, their voices blending with the c...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Sunlight streams through a window, illuminating a simple domestic scene. An orange pot and a single purple-hued fig rest on a woode...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A wooden basket contains a variety of apples and a World Series baseball. Painted realistically, this still-life watercolor ho...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A light-filled seascape features a monolithic rock at the ocean's edge, with silhouettes of people accentuating its grandeur. The ethereal pastel sky contrast...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
1970s Realist More Art
Oil, Cardboard
2010s Realist More Art
Oil, Panel
Artist Comments
At sunset, the sky shifts from blue to purple and pink. The sea subtly reflects the ethereal colors from above, adding glimmer to its surface. The soft clouds...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
1970s Realist More Art
Paper, Watercolor
Artist Comments
In this still-life watercolor, a cup of coffee sits perfectly centered on a rustic table. The morning brew evokes a sense of routine and comfort. The rich, da...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A field of red poppies bursts with vibrant color, illuminated by the golden hues of a setting sun. Bold strokes capture the depth and vitality of the scene. Pai...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A pair of sandhill cranes stand on opposite sides, their intense eyes seemingly watching each other's backs. Their stoic stance accentuates as the pond they inhabit fades into the grayish rainy mist of California's Central Valley in early winter. Rendered with a loose, watercolor-like technique, the birds' portrayal carries an expressive touch.
About the Artist
Emil Morhardt is an acrylic painter from Santa Barbara, California who expresses his passion for birds through realistic acrylic paintings. He paints at home in a studio room that has large windows and a north-facing view of the mountains. He observes the animals from this window, watching roadrunners, foxes, bobcats, deer, and coyote run by. Surrounded by this wildlife, Emil paints bird portraits reminiscent of those by artist John James Audubon. He bases his paintings off hundreds of photographs he takes of birds in the wild and at wildlife recovery centers. Emil captures the freedom and inquisitiveness that birds display...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Palm trees stretch upwards, their tall, slender trunks reaching upwards. Overhead, a yellow pedestrian crossing sign with a curved arrow injects a hint of urb...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil, Board
Artist Comments
Artist Jose Luis Bermudez captures a verdant tapestry of nature where dainty daisies dominate the scene. "This represents na...
21st Century and Contemporary Realist More Art
Oil
