My Work
This charcoal drawing was drawn on watercolour paper, and the edges of the paper were covered with masking tape to avoid unwanted smudges. I decided to change parts of the composition from the photo, which is why the drawing looks slightly different.
I first did a sketch using a regular #2 pencil. Then, I blocked in the values using charcoal pencils (soft, medium, hard), along with some tissue for blending. For the highlights and other white areas of the drawing, I used an eraser.
Stop and Think
Superrealism works are likened to photographs. Considering that many Superrealism works are created by looking at a photograph, do you think that this style of art is necessary? Why do artists choose to recreate something that has already been captured in a photograph?
Share your thoughts and opinions in a paragraph. You should have one example of artwork in your response and use it or the artist in your justification. Remember to cite your sources if you include information found in research (provided in the lesson or extra) and for images that are used.
I think Superrealism is necessary because it captures certain details in life that can only be expressed through art. Even though it uses photographs, it is still a style of art that encourages us to see the world in new and interesting ways. For example, Mary Pratt’s “Glassy Apples” shows a very detailed painting of apples in a glass bowl. Despite being created with a photo reference, the painting contains elements that the camera alone cannot capture. This seemingly mundane scene was turned into something extraordinary because Pratt specifically chose to paint it from her everyday life. Her painting shows the beauty of reflections, light, and colours that might otherwise go unnoticed if seen only through a photograph or in real life. Not only that, the amount of time and energy Pratt has spent on meticulously painting every detail brings more appreciation to her work. People are more likely to admire her work because of the human effort that was put into it. In conclusion, Superrealism is an important art style that focuses on details we often miss, giving them more meaning and attention.