Top Secrets to Painting Realism. Part 1
What many people mean when they say they’d like to learn to paint, is they’d like to learn to paint realism. To create a painting where the subject looks like it does in real life, or “real”. It’s only when you’re up close you see the skillful manipulation of color, tone, and perspective to create the illusion of reality.
Realism Takes Days Not Hours
Image © Stuart Gregory / Getty Images
Painting realism takes time. Expect to spend days and weeks, not merely a few hours on a painting. You can’t paint detailed realism and also want to knock off a painting every afternoon unless you’re painting a small canvas with something simple like a single apple.
Accurate Perspective is Crucial
If the perspective is wrong, the painting won’t look right not matter how beautifully it is. Get the perspective accurate before getting into the fine detail. Check the perspective regularly as you’re painting to ensure it remains accurate.
Shadows Aren’t Black
Shadows aren’t solid black. Shadows aren’t shapes of darker color painted right at the end after you’ve done everything else. Shadows aren’t the identical color or tone in all areas of the composition. Shadows are integral parts of the composition and should be painted at the same time as everything else. Spend as much time observing the subtle shifts in color in shadow areas as you do in the non-shadow parts.
The “secrets” you need to know if you wish to painting realism successfully.
By Marion Boddy-Evans
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