Realism is a style of painting that emerged in the 19th century, characterized by a strong focus on the accurate representation of the real world. Realist painters sought to capture the essence of their subjects, whether it be a landscape, a still life or a portrait, with meticulous detail and precision.

While realism may seem straightforward at first glance, there is actually a great deal of technical skill and scientific knowledge that goes into creating a convincing realist painting. In this article, we will explore some of the key painting techniques used by realist artists and the scientific principles behind them.