Inthe digital age, does realistic art still have a relevant and relatable place in the art world?
This question and others like it are often posed to artists who still paint classical portraits. Many critics wonder why in the 21st century a camera wouldn’t be used instead of carefully creating a realistic painting.
Absolute detail and truthful representation are what make up the foundations of realism. However, realism is not bound to those confines, and arguably realism is the jumping-off point for all types of art.
Realism offers artists a starting point from which they can launch themselves into an infinite number of artistic styles. When you understand how to faithfully render what is in front of you in a way that expresses the reality of those objects, you can begin to bend and shift the realities into something more abstract.