Photorealism by Judy Burgarella: About Photorealism

Welcome to Judy Burgarella's Photorealism Blog!

This blog was created for those of my students who want to make their art more realistic. Photorealism works cannot be rushed, as precision takes time no matter how you transfer your image to a substrate. I do not claim to be a photorealistic expert but I will strive to impart what information I can share with you to take you to the next level.

I am calling this blog "Photorealistic" as an enhancement to the course of the same name that I was invited to teach at the Vero Beach Museum of Art. In this way, students can revisit some of what they had heard in class. I had planned to make this blog more comprehensive, however Hurricane Ian got in the way and I have now run out of time for this week.

My own work can range from "Suggestive" to impressionistic to representational, to photorealistic, and I enjoy it all. However, a photorealistic work of art can take two to three times longer than a representational work, and this cannot be accomplished in a limited course at the Museum.

Included in this blog are some samples of photorealism--or near photorealism--that I have created, in a variety of mediums. Tips and tricks, and miscellaneous information in several mediums will be included to make your journey towards more representational work an exciting adventure!

This week's exercise at the Museum

The following still life setup is a simple one to get my students started in "Seeing like an artist." The first half of class #1 will be drawing with pencil and charcoal, with a focus on measuring, identifying lights and shadows, and perspective. The second half will focus on color with a small set of pastel pencils. The goal is to train their eyes to see and their brain to understand the effects of light on objects, and how to "see" color and be brave with it. The great joy (and challenge) of creating art is waking your mind up to all the beauty that could be found in a simple egg. Following is not a photorealistic piece, just a quick pastel pencil sketch I did to test the paper and pencils together before ordering then for class. The setup they will be using will include an apple, brown egg, shells, doily, all perched atop a shoebox. We'll just have to make up the table--easy peasy!

"The Egg" pastel pencil Still Life

Below is a quick chart I made using tools in the sketching kit provided for this class. In this way my students can see what each pencil and charcoal stick will do when put to paper, using the same pressure. To enlarge just click on the chart.

Graphite & Charcoal kit provided in class.
Click on image to enlarge

Some Tools of the Trade!

Proportional Divider

This is a handy easy-to-use measuring tool, in that it will help you transfer your subject more accurately to your substrate free-hand. For instructions on how to use this simple but useful tool, click on this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEZMKc0nMAg

Gray Scale & Value Finder

Helps to determine how light or dark an element of your reference is, whether painting from real life or a photo, whether black and white or color. When trying to determine the value of colored images, it helps if you squint, which reveals less of a color difference and more of a value difference.

In creating art, there are so many assumptions or preconceived ideas on how to draw or paint an element. Also, if you have been creating art for a while you may have developed bad habits by drawing "from your head." If you always "make it up" you will never be a realistic artist or know how to paint lights and shadows, and your work will be flat. And you will also miss out on the joy of actually "seeing" the beauty of even the most simple object as an egg, let alone the glorious bounty of our natural world. So get used to using the Value Finder, it will make you a better artist.

View Finder

A valuable tool in the act of composition, and aids in breaking down a composition into smaller elements. Easily made with cutting a square hole in a piece of cardboard. Make a square one and a rectangular one 6" on the longest side is big enough.

Mahl Stick

A necessary tool to avoid smudges, no matter what medium you are working with. Any dowel-shaped "stick" will do, however I prefer to use a backscratcher like the one pictured below, as it hooks over my canvas so nicely and stays put. And it scopes from 8" to 26-1/2", very sturdy, and about $7 for a set of 2 on Amazon. This is especially helpful when painting with oils. This is what it looks like: Oh, and it's awesome for scratching an itch!