Can someone name their three favorite artists past or present in abstract or realisim?

Question

and please state a short answer why? do you like an artist that goes way beyond reality?

Answer 1

Norman Rockwell was an early influence, for me. His realistic renderings and thoughtful vignettes inspired me to begin looking at the "details" of everyday life. While I do illustrations of many styles, even my simplest cartoons will include the tiny elements that bring characters to life, because they "look" believeable. The clothes drape and fold over the body, the hands, even doing nothing, hang in a natural way, hair has cowlicks and loose strands, etc.

Of course, in the 60s, the poster and book cover works of Frank Frazzeta and Boris Vallejo led me to experiment with exaggerated action scenes, scanty costumes and fantastic creatures of fantasy. In style, my work looks more like Kelly Frease. Peter Max helped me tone down my "busy" illustrations with simpler, more colorful shapes and poses.

All in all, EVERY artist's work I see will influence me, either, by causing me to try new directions, or, by turning me off to some path I do not choose to take.