Incredible Landscapes by British Hyperrealist Michael Smith

Many people do not understand why the works of hyperrealist artists are valuable? Isn't it easier to take a photograph that will convey nature as accurately as possible and will not require such an expenditure of time and effort? But connoisseurs of painting know that no matter how similar a painting is to a photograph, it always carries more than a photograph. It always contains the artist's individual perception of what he is painting. And this is clearly visible in the works of the British landscape master Michael James Smith.

Michael Smith was born on 22 February 1976 in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, south-east England. He is the youngest son of the renowned landscape artist David Smith. Michael grew up in a wonderful creative environment and spent hours watching his father work in his studio. Sometimes his father took his son on trips around the county, which he undertook in search of subjects for his paintings.

Father and son traveled on foot, and in a few years they walked around the entire south and east of Great Britain. These trips helped Michael to love his native land and taught him to see the beauty of the world around him. But young Smith was not just an observer; under his father's guidance he studied drawing, painting, and by the end of school he had developed his own style. Despite this, Michael did not plan to become an artist.

After school, Michael entered the College of Arts and Technology, studying to be an architect. But in 1993, he firmly decided to become an artist. He was prompted to this decision by visiting his father's personal exhibition. Michael was struck by the atmosphere of the event, surprised by the enthusiastic reaction of the public to the paintings of Smith Sr., which he had been accustomed to since childhood.

He chose the difficult path of a hyperrealist. But he remained faithful to the family business and decided to paint only landscapes. Michael created his first painting in his father's studio and under his guidance for four weeks. It was put up for sale by a city art gallery. The young artist's debut was a success - the landscape was bought in less than an hour.

After that, the gallery exhibited all of Michael Smith's paintings and they immediately found buyers. Now the artist has over 20 years of work under his belt and his landscapes also sell well. However, their price is already dozens of times higher and they are bought not only in Essex but also outside the UK. Many art critics believe that Michael James Smith is the best landscape artist in the country.

What do you think of hyperrealism in painting? Do you admire it or, on the contrary, does it seem soulless compared to more emotional styles? Share your opinion in the comments!