Three by Three: Guest Artists in Focus

QUESTION 2.    Acrylics aren’t always associated with subtle realism. What specific techniques do you rely on to achieve softness, depth, and believable light with such a fast-drying medium?

• ANSWER 2.     Utilizing acrylic paints to create realistic paintings required a ton of patience, layers and value changes. Laying down a dark base layer and painting the lighter details on top gives it the depth and life you want to achieve. Acrylics can be made thick or thinned out to create a see through glaze such as seen in the wings of the cicadas. Using the thinner glaze allows the background to poke through creating the illusion of see through wings!

Riley "Erl" Burke
Painter

MEDIUM:    acrylic

BIO:    My name is Riley “Erl” Burke, and I am an acrylic painter! Based in the historic art community of Woodstock, Illinois, I am a self-taught painter who believes that the heart of creativity lies in the lived human experience. My journey with art began before I could even hold a brush properly; I have been creating for as long as I can remember. While my formal training is rooted in high school art classes, my true education has come from a lifetime of observation and experimentation.

My work is deeply inspired by the rhythmic connection between nature and music, two muses that guide my hand and color palette. For me, art is more than just an image—it is a vessel for real human emotions, thoughts, and vulnerabilities. I believe this soulfulness is what defines true art, representing a depth of spirit that cannot be replicated by AI or algorithms.

There is nothing quite as rewarding as stepping out into the local community during art fairs and events. Witnessing a viewer connect with a piece of my work—and knowing it found a place in their home—is a profound honor.


FACEBOOK:              https://www.facebook.com

QUESTION 3.    Realism often gets labeled as purely technical. Where does intuition enter your process, even when accuracy is the goal?

• ANSWER 3.     In realism, technical skill is the "language," but intuition is the voice. While accuracy gets the proportions right, intuition is what makes the painting feel alive rather than like a sterile photocopy.

QUESTION 1.    Being largely self-taught beyond high school classes, what habits or routines have been most critical in pushing your realism forward over time?

• ANSWER 1.    Improving realism as a self-taught artist is often less about "talent" and more about the discipline of learning how to see. Progress relies on creating your own "curriculum" of observation. Taking breaks throughout is important as well, staring too intently for too long will make you start to question your choices. Taking breaks and coming back will allow you to see what needs to be adjusted.

“Fated Beasts, 2024, Acrylic, 36”X48”

All copyright and reproduction rights are reserved by Riley “Erl” Burke.
Artwork may not be reproduced in any form without the artist's express written permission.

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“Brood on a branch, 2024, Acrylic, 9”X12”

“Snowy skies, 2025, Acrylics, 14”X14””