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In the Realism art period, the study from life was a fundamental practice for achieving observational accuracy. Realist artists emphasized direct observation of the natural world, studying their subjects firsthand to capture their likeness, form, and character with precision and fidelity.
Realist artists believed in the importance of direct observation, preferring to study their subjects firsthand rather than relying solely on imagination or memory. They would closely observe people, objects, and environments in order to capture their appearance, gestures, and nuances with accuracy.
Realist artists often worked directly from nature, setting up their easels outdoors to paint landscapes, cityscapes, and scenes of everyday life en plein air. This allowed artists to capture the fleeting effects of light, atmosphere, and weather with immediacy and authenticity.
Realist artists frequently used live models for figure studies and portraiture, arranging sittings to study the human form in various poses and expressions. By working from live models, artists were able to capture the unique personality, character, and physical features of their subjects with greater accuracy and depth.
Realist artists also engaged in still life studies, arranging objects such as fruits, flowers, and household items in order to study their form, texture, and spatial relationships. By observing these objects from life, artists were able to render them with precision and detail in their paintings.
Realist artists created sketches and studies as part of their observational process, making quick, spontaneous drawings to capture the essence of a scene or subject. These sketches served as valuable reference material for larger, more finished works, helping artists to refine their compositions and capture fleeting moments.
While direct observation was paramount in Realism art, some artists also used photography as a supplemental reference tool. Photography allowed artists to capture stillness, movement, and complex compositions with greater ease, providing additional visual information for their paintings.
Overall, the study from life was a foundational practice in the Realism art period, enabling artists to achieve observational accuracy and create artworks that faithfully represented the appearance of reality. By closely observing the world around them, Realist artists were able to capture the nuances, details, and subtleties of everyday life with remarkable precision and fidelity.