3 Secrets to Realism

By Carole Ruffin
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1- Tell The Truth.  

Drawing what you see means telling the truth. Ultimately art is communication-- you are communicating what you see to the viewer. (You are also drawing what you feel. This is where artistic license comes in and I’ll put more on this in the next post) So, what do you see and how does it make you feel? 

Whether you’re drawing an intimate still life or awe-inspiring landscape, start by telling your viewers what it looks like and end by making them feel like they’re there. This doesn’t mean you have to draw everything you see, but-- in what you chose to draw in the scene-- pay attention to the details. 

2-Draw What You Love.

Your grandmother’s portrait? Your fishing cove in an obscure wood? A grand cityscape? Ask yourself-- what do you love enough to take time drawing it? Your art is an extension of yourself and if it reflects your interests it’ll motivate  you to spend time detailing it.

3- Tell A Visual Story.

Everything tells a story-- more than one. That worn shoe in your still life, what foreign lands have met its sole? The broken limb on the ancient tree in your fishing cove, did an animal jump or lightning strike? Story begins and ends with characters, so choose a character to feature and arrange your composition around it. See all other objects as supporting actors to your character, and you might discover an antagonist lurking. ​