Considered one of the foremost modern proponents of the American Realist tradition, Charles Jarboe paints urban and rural landscapes that explore light and color. Drawing inspiration from Edward Hopper, Jarboe tries to capture a sense of stillness and alienation in his work through the juxtaposition of seemingly aloof figures and the clear delineation between natural and artificial light. He achieves his precise style by working principally from photographs, often adopting unusual perspectives typically only captured by photographic work.
American, b.1956
I began my career painting landscapes near my home town of Baltimore, MD. Following the techniques of the Hudson School, I composed plein-air sketches which I took to my studio along with photographs for additional reference. From there, I created meticulous rendered scenic landscapes.
In 2006, I transitioned by introducing figures into urban landscapes of New York City. Most of my cityscapes have been more reliant on techniques from photorealism. My journey has been focused on exactitudes understanding of color, light and mood.