It’s normally easy to distinguish a painting from a photograph, but Lee Guk Hyun takes realism to such extremes that viewers would never expect these mesmerizing images to be made from oil paints.
The sheen off the sequins of the masquerade masks, the luster of the female subjects’ hair, the texture of his characters’ skin, these are things that could have easily betrayed the effect Guk Hyun was going for, but he’s such a master of his craft that he’s able to replicate these details flawlessly with just a paint brush. It’s truly rare that someone can be this gifted at photorealistic illustration.
Many of Lee Guk Hyun’s works feature Korean ladies with their eyes obscured. In this particular series, for example, he chose to depict ravishing women dressed up for a costume ball with most of them shutting their eyes behind masks.
Photoreal Masquerade Paintings
Lee Guk Hyun Illustrates Mask-Wearing Women in Ornate Dresses
Trend Themes
1. Photorealistic Illustration - There is an opportunity for artists and designers to explore the boundaries of photorealistic illustration to create stunning and realistic artworks.
2. Enhanced Realism - Advancements in technology and tools could enable artists to achieve even higher levels of realism in their paintings, blurring the line between a photograph and a painting.
3. Emphasis on Detail - Artists can focus on capturing intricate details, such as textures and subtle reflections, to enhance the realism and appeal of their artwork.
Industry Implications
1. Art - The art industry can incorporate photorealistic painting techniques to create unique and captivating artworks that challenge traditional notions of realism.
2. Design - Designers can explore the application of photorealistic illustration in various fields such as advertising, product design, and digital media to create visually stunning and engaging designs.
3. Technology - Advancements in technology can provide artists with innovative tools and software to push the boundaries of photorealistic illustration, opening up new possibilities for artistic expression.