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In the real world, there are paintings that have endured for hundreds of years and they draw people from all over to see them. They can’t believe how they still look so good after all these years. Imagine you did the same for your fictional world; only except of talking about real people, they’ll be talking about fantasy painters.
It is a testament to the patience of painters that they make incredible pieces of art. From the colors used to the type of canvas they paint them on, the artwork they so lovingly craft continues to astound people long after they’ve departed the world. And they did so using the technology available at that time!
Just as in the real world, people love looking at paintings and discussing the famous fantasy painters, both past and present. They take in their beauty, interpret their possible meanings, and discuss the techniques used in the process of creating them. Each one of them views the paintings differently.
So what kind of painters do you find in an imaginary world? You have those of great renown, who make works similar to the Mona Lisa and you also have ones who can create a painting in mere minutes though you usually find them at carnivals or on the streets. Different kinds of painters range from the classical to the impressionist.
Fantasy painters play an integral role in the world. The artwork they make are hung all over the world where people view them. Their paintings largely reflect how they perceive the world and its inhabitants. They brighten people’s lives and spur them to understand how their creator sees the world.
This is article number twenty in the fantasy occupations series. If you want more articles, you can find them on our blog page!
It is a testament to human ingenuity to stand in an art gallery or museum where legendary paintings hang and marvel at how they were created using the equipment available at the time. People will literally spend hours debating the message a painting is trying to tell. Imagine bringing something like this to your world.
No matter how much a fantasy world changes, there will always be painters. The work they make become symbols of various eras throughout history, serving as a visual representation of bygone times. They let people recall a time when things were simpler, when they were more connected with nature.
Many visual works in the genre such as video games, tv shows, and movies have paintings in the background. All of these artwork were created by the fantasy painters of the world and they help make it feel real for the audience. The paintings you see represent their viewpoint and shine a light into their soul.
Much like their real world brethren, the paintings they create have a message. Some are clear like how war devastates families and fields whereas others are more abstract, leaving it up to different interpretations. People fiercely debate these interpretations but what many overlook the fact that they are meant to provoke controversy since their life experience is what will shape how they perceive them. Since everyone is different, that means no two people will have the exact same opinion when discussing them and that’s the point.
Sometimes people just stand in awe, marveling at how fantasy painters were able to come up with something that stands the test of time. Some are equally amazed at the patience required to make a timeless piece of art, knowing that it didn’t take hours; it took days, weeks, months, maybe even years to create a stellar painting.
What comes to mind when you think of painters? You probably think of ones like Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo whose works are forever immortalized in time. Creating your own adds a realistic flavor to your world but what type of painters should it have?
A surefire one that people will never get weary of is that of the classical. Classical painters feature works that are primarily bucolic in nature. Living in an era when the world was young, they believed in the natural world and made works depicting that. Artwork showing pristine landscapes with no signs of civilization or those showing the natural beauty of people are popular examples.
Impressionist painters were more focused on modern life, looking at how civilization progressed since classical times. Many of their works showcases how civilization eschewed established styles, instead embracing those of modernity. In some cases, some of their works lack the warmness of their classical-oriented counterparts since they shun how they see the world.
Romantic fantasy painters make nature a central focus in their works. They disliked the ordered world, instead preferring one more attuned to nature. They showcased the awesome power of the natural world, using animals and landscapes as metaphors for people in their quest to conquer the land or defeat their foes.
Contemporary painters heavily incorporate elements of the modern world in their works. Many reveal the world as it is, whether it’s the constant stream of people going to and from work or the things people take for granted like electricity or computers. They are the opposite of classical painters who preferred the natural world, favoring modern over nature.
So where do painters fit in a world that is fictional? They, like every other occupation, contribute to it in its own way. Their main purpose is to make artwork that is forever immortalized in time but they have other purposes.
Look at some of the most famous paintings in the real world. They were created centuries ago and people still talk about them and their creators today. They scrutinize every detail of them, from the type of canvas used to the colors of the paintings. All they do is stand in awe at these masterpieces. You can replicate that sentiment in your fantasy world!
Another purpose fantasy painters have is to use their artwork to convey a message. The message is based off on how they perceive the world. For instance, during times of turmoil like war, the art they make show their anger at the wanton destruction of pristine landscapes or the great bloodshed upon the battlefield.
The message painters use can also provoke controversy or at least force people to reconsider things. For example, having a large factory right next to a forest showcases how industrialization is affecting the natural order of the world, making people not quite be as enthused about the changing world as they thought they would be. This tactic can be effective at marshaling change or at least, raising awareness about what’s going on in the world.
Many paintings depict the inhabitants of the world, whether they be human — or humanoid races capable of intelligence — plants, and animals. They show them doing various actions like sitting or conversing. They are meant to show that they exist and are part of the world. How they’re portrayed is emblematic of how painters perceive them. Vicious creatures are slightly over-exaggerated to highlight their dangerous nature whereas gentle ones are showcased in a positive light.
Fantasy painters have a difficult job. They have to think of interesting, captivating artwork that will get people talking. They constantly strive to reach legendary status and have people talk about their art for many years. Their deep-seated love for painting spurs them to push them to become better in their field.
With how many paintings there are in the world, it’s no wonder that there are people who will while away the hours of the day just looking at them. They discuss every aspect of them and they all commend the painters for creating such superb pieces that encourage them to think critically about what they really mean.
Just as there are many different paintings, there are various kinds of fantasy painters. You have those who are classically-minded and those who are more contemporary. The type of painter they are fundamentally affects the style of paintings they make. All these different kinds enriches the tapestry that is painting.
Painters help the world by creating awe-inspiring art that gets people talking. Viewers learn a lot about a painter by studying their art, the techniques they favor, the messages they’re trying to tell, and so on. Their artwork is representative of how they see the world.
Not sure whether to bring fantasy painters into the world you’re building from the ground up? In many scenes, there are various sized paintings in the background. Though they draw eyeballs to them, they show snippets of a larger world than your audience knows. They can inspire them to want to learn more about your world…
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Sunfire
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