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Doug Whitfield

"Circus Dreams" Large Surreal Black and Blue Toned Dancing Performers Painting
By Doug Whitfield
Located in Houston, TX
Surreal abstract painting by contemporary artist Doug Whitfield. The work features various dancing
Category

Late 20th Century Surrealist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

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"Heavenly Dance" Modern Figurative Portrait of a Voluptuous Dancing Couple
By Doug Whitfield
Located in Houston, TX
Modern figurative portrait by contemporary artist Doug Whitfield. The work features a voluptuous
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Modern Pastel Pink and Blue Figurative Portrait of a Seated Couple
By Doug Whitfield
Located in Houston, TX
Modern pastel portrait by contemporary artist Doug Whitfield. The work features a seated couple
Category

1970s Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

"S. On The Beach" Modern Figurative Intimate Portrait of a Voluptuous Couple
By Doug Whitfield
Located in Houston, TX
Modern figurative portrait by contemporary artist Doug Whitfield. The work features a voluptuous
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

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Finding the Right Figurative-paintings for You

Figurative art, as opposed to abstract art, retains features from the observable world in its representational depictions of subject matter. Most commonly, figurative paintings reference and explore the human body, but they can also include landscapes, architecture, plants and animals — all portrayed with realism.

While the oldest figurative art dates back tens of thousands of years to cave wall paintings, figurative works made from observation became especially prominent in the early Renaissance. Artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and other Renaissance masters created naturalistic representations of their subjects.

Pablo Picasso is lauded for laying the foundation for modern figurative art in the 1920s. Although abstracted, this work held a strong connection to representing people and other subjects. Other famous figurative artists include Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud. Figurative art in the 20th century would span such diverse genres as Expressionism, Pop art and Surrealism.

Today, a number of figural artists — such as Sedrick Huckaby, Daisy Patton and Eileen Cooper — are making art that uses the human body as its subject.

Because figurative art represents subjects from the real world, natural colors are common in these paintings. A piece of figurative art can be an exciting starting point for setting a tone and creating a color palette in a room.

Browse an extensive collection of figurative paintings on 1stDibs.