| Photorealism -- The Concept | | | | image on the canvas by the traditional grid/mosaic |
| Photorealism, also known as Hyperrealism, Sharp | | | | method or by employing a projector. This |
| Focus, or New Realism, is a form of Modern | | | | produces a magnified version of the original |
| Western Painting. It is a step closer to reality than | | | | photographic slide to be used as the base for a |
| the Realist painting style. It originated in 1970s and | | | | Photorealist Painting. The final touches are given |
| remains popular in the present Western Art scene | | | | through bristle brush or an airbrush and little paint. |
| as well. Louis K. Meisel first proposed the term | | | | The choice of tools depends upon the effect |
| 'Photorealism' in 1968. As the name suggests, the | | | | desired. Some painters avoid prominent |
| base for this type of work is a photographic | | | | brushwork and prefer the smooth airbrush finish, |
| image. | | | | whereas others prefer to highlight visible |
| The Controversies | | | | brushstrokes to add 'artistic' grade to the painting. |
| Public opinion on Photorealism has always been | | | | Nevertheless, the attempt in both the case is to |
| divided. Its nearness to reality has drawn a lot of | | | | closely follow the contours and to produce a |
| criticism, on the ground that it lacks artistic | | | | photographic perfection. |
| imagination. It is argued that neither Photorealism | | | | Technically, the Photorealist's impression of the |
| is perfect enough to replace photography, nor is it | | | | original is a highly complex and cumbersome job. |
| artistic enough to be categorized as a painting in | | | | The artist has to take into account, the minutest |
| true sense. The argument in favor suggests that | | | | of the details of the original shot. Many artists |
| an artist's treatment of work distinguishes | | | | prefer to add some more details or features of |
| Photorealism from Photography. In addition, its | | | | their choice, to enhance the artistic appeal of their |
| model (photograph) is a steady reference for | | | | piece. However, the scope of leaving out certain |
| painting that is not subject to changes, and | | | | elements is limited, as the painting is created on |
| thereby, provides room for depth and focus, as | | | | the base of a 'true' capture. |
| against a flattened representation. | | | | Photorealist Examples |
| The Details | | | | Among the lead artists of Photorealism were |
| Photorealists are careful in choosing their subjects, | | | | Audrey Flack, Richard Estes, Charles Bell, Ralph |
| such that they do not capture the mundane and | | | | Goings, Robert Bechtle, Howard Kanovitz, Richard |
| commonplace scenes. Sometimes, the choice is | | | | McLean, Chuck Close, Tom Blackwell, and Don |
| the ugly and unsavory reality, while at the other | | | | Eddy. |
| times the focus is on uncommon beauty. Mood of | | | | Notwithstanding the divided opinions about |
| the scene plays a significant role in adding 'body' | | | | Photorealism, this work of finesse makes it |
| to the work. The technique used for Photorealist | | | | among the most cherished art forms of the |
| paintings involves transferring a photographic | | | | present times. |