How to Create a Neopoprealist Art Work

NeoPopRealism is a style of art that aims to combine the brightness and simplicity of modern pop art with the philosophical and psychological depth of realism. Started and developed by Nadia Russ in 1989, the movement has grown to encompass a philosophical way of life with a list of ten canons for a happy, productive life. Russ has also published a series of books describing the movement, including instructions for drawing in the style of NeoPopRealism. This art style is not interested in copying the real-life objects, the human body, or others' ideas/drawings. It focuses on breaking through those restrictions and limitations that lock our imagination, opening that state of mind in which everything is possible and created artworks are unique and not attached to any patterns seen before. Nadia Russ developed a method of breaking through those unwanted psychological limitations and restrictions that keep artists in the realistic state of mind, which prevents them from making imaginative artworks. NeoPopRealism can be seen as a new dimension in the visual arts.

Steps

1. 1
   First you have to create a sketch in the NeoPopRealist manner of the future mural on a small piece of paper 8"x10" using the black ink pen. See the image for how this drawing develops step-by-step. However, there is an important detail: the following drawings are to examine it, and then, to create something unique.

   • Use the lines to create the image shape and sections.
   • Fill appeared sections with different patterns/ ornaments.
   • Add text if needed, for example "NeoPopRealism is 25!"
   • Add a colored strip on the top, any color you wish.
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2. 2
   Now, prepare to create your NeoPopRealist mural. Painting a mural always requires a some preparation. You‘ll need equipment and effort, but planning and attention to detail will help you succeed. Painting a mural requires a suitable location, with the right surface that can be painted.

   • This surface should be smooth and flat. However, even rough-textured surfaces can be used for your NeoPopRealist mural project.
3. 3
   Prepare your paint. For exterior projects that last for years, using a newer 100% acrylic exterior paint would be your best choice. For interior walls, use latex paints. Latex offer easier cleanup and lower costs. By measuring the total wall area to be covered, the total amount of paint can be calculated, but since this mural painting requires two colors - white and black - figuring the actual area to be painted each color is necessary to allow purchasing the right amount of each one.

   • Large walls backgrounds may be rolled or sprayed with a white paint sprayer, where details may be added with brushes.
   • Paints are sensitive to high temperatures, humidity, direct sunlight, however, the interior projects do not have many complications. In public places, keeping the mural protected may require attention. For that reason, if you make your NeoPopRealist mural dedicated to its 25-year anniversary in school or office, you can consider using varnish for your mural.
4. 4
   Begin your project with a design. See sample above. The design will give you a sense of proportion. You will have unique requirements and elements.
5. 5
   Produce a scaled down version of your finished mural. Use a sketch and measure at scale the distances and locations of various points of your subject. Measuring key features will help you calculate the amount of paint when each feature is identified by its color.
6. 6
   Prepare the wall to be painted. If the surface is low, the whole mural can be painted standing on the ground or from a stepladder. For higher work, you may have to rent a scaffold.
7. 7
   After you have primed the surface, measure the wall. Mark the horizontal and vertical lines.
8. 8
   Paint in the base coat of the background. Use white paint as background.
9. 9
   Allow the background and base coats to dry. Then begin marking, using your scaled sketch, the location of key elements of objects, located in the foreground. Everything depends on the complexity of your mural. If you are confident in your artistic results, you may choose to draw all of the details in freehand.
10. 10
    Draw the lines, then fill the appeared section with different repetitive patterns (examine the images above). Be careful, keep clean transition edges from one color (black) to another (white). However, mistakes can be touched up later. Always allow fresh color to dry before proceeding to the drawing.
11. 11
    Paint patterns with brushes of suitable size for the particular portion of work you are painting. An example would be painting a large patterns use big brushes, limbs, use small brushes for tiny and detailed patterns.
12. 12
    Clean up the lines and shapes as needed. If you have a drip or run, paint over it with the color paint appropriate for that location. Sharpen lines and patterns if they are blurred.
13. 13
    Seal the mural if needed. If it is intended to last a long time or if it is on a surface that require cleaning, overcoat your mural project with a clear sealer.
14. 14
    Be inspired and it will help you succeed! However, if you won't be able to involve more than 16 percent of your brain's grays matter, you'll end up with the primitive crafting of patterns or even worse, with doodling or so-called zen-doodling. But to create the NeoPopRealist ART one needs the abilities, which can be developed in talented people after the study using Nadia Russ' Neopoprealist instructional books. Other, the copycats' self-promotional superficial books will teach you only how to doodle because they have nothing in common with visual arts and its mission.