What's the difference between Realism, Photorealism and Hyperrealism?
What's the difference between Realism, Photorealism and Hyperrealism?
What are the main elements that makes theme different from one another?
Are they all the same thing?
Let’s find out what are the difference between Realism, Photorealism and Hyperrealism. I also had a question about what really separates these 3 and how different are they to one another.
We’ll be looking at a whole bunch of different paintings today. A variety from all three styles.
"The Elder Sister" by William-Adolphe Bouguereau
"Cafe Express" by Richard Estes
"Telephone Booths" by Richard Estes
Many Hyperrealism art!
What is Realism?
Realism is a replication of something, like a portrait or still-life or animal that looks natural and real but at the same time when we look at it, it still looks like a painting or drawing. Prioritizing accurate resemblance and attention to detail with an unembellished depiction of nature and ordinary life subjects without adding any imagination or idealization to it. It likes close observation and stays true to its original appearance.
Here is a great example of what a realism painting would look like.
What is Photorealism?
The main goal of photorealism is to be an exact copy of the photo reference. Being the identical copy you wouldn’t even be able to tell the difference between the photo and the painting. From the direction of lines, shapes, and color., everything is as precise as possible like the photograph.
Richard Estes is a great example for Photorealism!
What is Hyperrealism?
This is when you take Photorealism to the next level! The main difference between photorealism and Hyperrealism is that it is not chained to the picture reference. The artist has the freedom to breathe life into it, giving it charm, and emotions and making it unique.
Basically, they don’t copy exactly the photo but use the photograph as a tool to understand what texture and light would be like but they are free to change it as they please.
Think of it as taking the technical skill and attention to detail from “photorealism” but improving and creating a new life out of it to express what the artist wants to share and tell their version and story about the subject.
Recreating something that makes it look so real that you’ve been tricked because of the power of what hyperrealism can do.
So is there a difference between the 3?
Yes, there sure is. But at the same time, they all have some kind of similar origin and idea. Where Realism sticks to what the original subject is like. So if it’s a person, it’s a person, it does not turn into a cat. Even if Photorealism and Hyperrealism have the same origin (The photograph), one is more strict since it’s an exact copy of the photograph while the other has the freedom to change, evolve, and become something new but using the photograph as a tool and not a rule.
I hope this answers your question about what is similar and what is different between, Realism, Photorealism, and Hyperrealism.
List of my favorite Hyperrealims artists! Have fun checking them out and comment below if you find some new favorite artists!
Mini Exercise for you!
This week, pick some of your favorite hyperrealism artists and see if you can learn from one of the living masters! There’s always so much to discover and uncover in the world of art and exploration!
Have fun exploring!
What did you discover?
I’m curious to see your thoughts on realism, photorealism, and hyperrealism and If you also discovered something new about it, I would love to know! (You can comment and share your thoughts below!)
Thank you for reading my fun little discovery and I hope you also get to learn and share your discoveries too!
You can also share it with fellow friends, family and, artists of today's Victoria Yu Art on social media, forward it to someone who might benefit, or text it to a friend. Thanks for reading!
PS Feel free to watch my new YouTube video about this new post! Sharing thoughts and ideas!