Emotionally realistic watercolors by Steve Hanks, from which the soul becomes warmer

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

In recent years, contemporary artists are increasingly turning to watercolors, the most complex painting technique, opening up its amazing possibilities wider and deeper. And despite the fact that works written with water paint are not as durable as those made with oil, many artists prefer watercolors. So an American watercolorist Steve Hanks devoted 35 years of his work to her, creating incredible emotionally colored plot portraits of children and adults.

Steve Hanks was born into a military family in San Diego (California, USA) in 1949. Passion for drawing and playing sports, surfing and tennis have comprehensively influenced the development of Steve's personality. However, the teenager chose art as his future profession. Therefore, in the life of the future artist there was both the Academy of Fine Arts in San Francisco, which he graduated with honors, and the California College of Arts and Crafts, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and an interesting job as a designer after graduation.

And all this time the young artist was constantly in a state of searching for his own style, technique and handwriting. He tried all pictorial means - from a simple pencil and pastels to acrylics and oil paint, which became his favorite material for ten years. But when in the early 80s the artist began to have allergic attacks, he had to replace the oil with watercolor. It was she who served the artist with faith and truth throughout his subsequent creative life, allowing him to develop his own signature style and style, it was she who brought him worldwide fame and popularity, public esteem and critical acclaim.

In the artist's paintings, one can most often see portraits, both single and group, enclosed in the most complex compositional constructions with interior and landscape backgrounds. The master scrupulously worked out the smallest details, light and shadow, colors, and most importantly the mood and state of mind of his characters. This is especially clearly expressed in the stunning touching children's images that captivate with their spontaneity and sincerity. The technique of performing the work is so high that Steve's watercolors can be mistaken for photographs.

The artist himself was married and had three children, who were the models of his paintings. Hence the main theme of his paintings, saturated with warmth, tenderness, mutual understanding and love.

Hanks has been among the top ten American artists for decades according to the results of various versions and polls, was awarded the National Society of Watercolorists in the early 90s, and also won the gold medal of the National Academy of Western Art. And more than once he became a laureate of many professional competitions.

And his works are highly valued by art lovers not only because of their hyperrealistic performance in a complex painting technique, but also because they carry a huge positive emotional mood. And it's not a secret for anyone that many people want to have at least a grain of happiness in their home, even if it is drawn in the picture. This is - firstly … And secondly - we all come from childhood, and in the depths of everyone's soul there are memories of that wonderful carefree time.

Finally, I would like to note that it is very difficult for artists to achieve full recognition among ordinary art lovers and among art historians and critics. But Steve Hanks did it in full. And he himself says this about his work: "I try to be responsible and bring positive emotions to this world. I want my work to bring pleasure, a feeling of comfort and understanding of people's lives."

Today, the master's works are kept in many private and public collections around the world and have a solid price at art auctions.

Continuing the theme of artists depicting the wonderful world of childhood and motherhood - creativity of the Italian painter Pino Daeni.