Lowbrow art, aka pop surrealism, has been around for decades and has captured the hearts of artists and art lovers. Emerging in Los Angeles, it has cultural roots in various subcultures such as underground comix, punk music, and hot-rod cultures. Its roots in underground art and its mix of pop culture, humor and irreverence make it a cool and fun genre. With AI tools it’s never been easier to make your own lowbrow art even if you’re not a professional artist. In this guide we’ll take you through the steps to make your own lowbrow art with AI and also explore what lowbrow is and why it’s important in modern art.
What is Lowbrow Art?
Lowbrow art was born in Los Angeles in the late 1960s as a populist art movement rejecting the rules of fine art. Often considered underground art, lowbrow artists challenge what art should be and blend high and low culture with street art, comic books and various subcultures like punk rock, tiki culture and hot-rod culture. The pieces produced within this movement, known as lowbrow artworks, are an unapologetic celebration of the bizarre, the kitsch and the culturally marginalized.
As it evolved into pop surrealism it gained momentum. A style characterized by vivid imagery, surrealistic themes and a deep connection to popular culture. Artists in this genre use humor, satire and symbolism in their work making it both fun and thought provoking. Lowbrow art is often bright, with big characters and fantastical settings that blur the line between reality and dreamscapes.
Lowbrow art is not just about looks – it’s a statement. It’s a reaction against the elitism of the art gallery and the art world. Artists like Robert Williams the father of lowbrow art have been the ones who defined and spread the movement.
History of Lowbrow Art
Lowbrow art was born out of the exclusivity and pretentiousness of the modern art world. It wanted to bridge the gap between fine art and everyday culture. It drew from the ordinary and the unconventional. The populist roots of the movement are in its accessibility – you don’t need an art degree to like or make lowbrow art. This art form is about the experiences, humor and challenges of everyday people so it’s relatable by default. Robert Williams' influential 1979 book, 'The Lowbrow Art of Robt. Williams,' played a significant role in defining and popularizing the movement.
One of the main figures of the underground visual art movement is lowbrow artist Robert Williams. He worked with Ed “Big Daddy” Roth in the 1960s doing ads and intricate oil paintings with controversial and bold imagery. Williams' experience in art school, particularly at Los Angeles City College and the California Institute of the Arts, where he was labeled an 'illustrator,' shaped his artistic identity and association with the West Coast outlaw culture. Williams founded Juxtapoz Magazine & Culture Magazine and was part of the group of other artists who created Zap Comix, collaborating with underground cartoonists like Robert Crumb, Rick Griffin, S. Clay Wilson, and Gilbert Shelton. Williams is credited with coining the term “lowbrow art” to describe the style that combined his art with pop culture and street art. His art is irreverent and his work in the underground comix scene with Coochy Cooty cemented his status in the counterculture art world.
Key Characteristics of Lowbrow Art
Lowbrow art is all about making a bold statement with a splash of color and a dash of humor. This genre thrives on its vibrant, eye-catching style that blends fine art, pop culture, and street art into a unique visual feast. Think of it as a wild mashup of comic books, graffiti, and hot rod culture, all wrapped up in a fantastical, surreal package.
One of the hallmarks of lowbrow art is its use of bright, vivid colors and bold lines that create a sense of energy and movement. The imagery often features fantastical creatures, cartoon-like characters, and surreal landscapes that transport viewers to a dreamlike world. It’s a style that’s unapologetically playful and irreverent, often poking fun at societal norms and celebrating the bizarre and the kitschy.
What sets lowbrow art apart is its DIY ethos. Many lowbrow artists are self-taught, coming from backgrounds in street art, graffiti, or other forms of underground art. This gives the movement a raw, authentic feel that’s all about breaking the rules and challenging the status quo. There’s a strong sense of community among lowbrow artists, with many collaborating and showcasing their work together in group exhibitions. It’s a movement that’s as much about the camaraderie and shared spirit as it is about the art itself.
The Influence of Robert Williams
When it comes to lowbrow art, Robert Williams is a name that stands tall. Often hailed as the godfather of the movement, Williams has been a major force in shaping the lowbrow aesthetic. His work is a heady mix of fine art, comic books, and hot rod culture, creating a style that’s both bold and unmistakably his own.
Williams’ art is known for its vibrant, colorful imagery and its incorporation of elements from popular culture. His pieces often feature intricate, detailed scenes that are packed with symbolism and satire. This unique blend of high and low culture has been a major inspiration for many other artists in the lowbrow scene.
The influence of Robert Williams can be seen in the works of artists like Mark Ryden, Camille Rose Garcia, and Shag (Josh Agle). His impact extends beyond individual artists, with his work being featured in numerous exhibitions and publications, including the prestigious Whitney Biennial in New York. Williams’ legacy is a testament to the power of lowbrow art to challenge conventions and bring underground culture to the forefront of the art world.
AI in Lowbrow Art
AI has opened up new doors for creativity, artists and enthusiasts can now produce imaginative and complex art with minimal technical skill. AI can’t replicate the intricate techniques of artists like Robert Williams but it can help generate lowbrow inspired art that combines pop surrealism, graffiti and street art.
If you’ve ever liked the irreverence of lowbrow art AI tools like Leonardo AI, Midjourney and Nightcafe AI can help you bring your ideas to life. These platforms allow you to input detailed prompts and get art that looks like lowbrow and pop surrealism.
How to Make Your Own Lowbrow Art
Making lowbrow art with AI is easy and fun even for beginners. Follow these steps to get started.
1. Choose Your AI Art Generator
First step is to choose your AI art generator. There are many out there but Leonardo AI stands out due to its advanced features and flexibility. It has fine tuned models, guidance control and customizable elements that allows you to control many aspects of your art. Midjourney and Nightcafe AI are also great options for lowbrow art.
2. Write Your Prompt
The prompt is crucial to get the style and aesthetic you want. Be as detailed as possible. Think of the elements of lowbrow art you want to include – humor, bright colors, pop culture references, surrealism. For example:
"Masterpiece, highly detailed, (((lowbrow art))) trashy woman with tattoos standing next to a hotrod, Robert Williams art, with a dingy composite overlay, full body, emphasis on popular culture, consumerism, and mass media, pop art, dingy color palette with an overlapping wash of grime, vibrant energy and motion encapsulated, fluidity and light dynamics, striking visual contrast, artful fusion of figure and abstract elements, HD quality."
By including specifics like “Robert Williams art” and the lowbrow movement hallmarks you can guide the AI to produce more accurate and better images that fit the esthetic.
3. Refine Your Art
After your initial art is generated you can refine it using the advanced features of your chosen AI tool. Leonardo AI for example has an “Elements” feature that allows you to adjust the style, colors and overall feel of the image.
For these images I used Digital Painting 40%, Dark Arts 30%, Colorful Scribbles 20% to get lowbrow art that’s playful and subversive. The AlbedoBase XL model was also used giving you more cartoon artistic which will help you get a fine art quality that’s part of the underground art scene.
4. Iterate
One of the best things about working with AI is the experimentation. If the first output doesn’t look like what you had in mind you can iterate on your prompt, try different models or adjust specific elements until you get the lowbrow art you want. Don’t be afraid to get weird, sometimes the weirdest results are the best.
5. Try Different Styles
Lowbrow art is all about breaking the rules so go ahead and experiment with different themes, patterns and techniques. Try to incorporate different subcultures like graffiti, comic book art or even punk music into your AI art. The underground art world is huge and your lowbrow art should reflect your own perspective in it.
Techniques for Bold, Colorful Imagery
Creating the bold, colorful imagery that defines lowbrow art involves a mix of techniques that bring energy and dynamism to the canvas. Here are some key methods used by lowbrow artists to achieve their striking visuals:
Vibrant Colors: Lowbrow art is known for its use of bright, eye-popping colors that create a sense of movement and excitement. These colors are often used in unexpected combinations to grab the viewer’s attention and convey a sense of playfulness.
Graphic Imagery: Bold lines and geometric shapes are a staple in lowbrow art, adding a sense of dynamism and tension to the pieces. This graphic quality helps to create a strong visual impact and makes the artwork stand out.
Mixed Media: Many lowbrow artists use a variety of mediums, including paint, ink, and digital media, to create complex, layered images. This approach adds depth and texture to the artwork, making it more engaging and visually interesting.
Collage Elements: Incorporating elements of collage and mixed media can add an extra layer of texture and complexity to lowbrow art. This technique allows artists to blend different styles and materials, creating a rich, multifaceted visual experience.
Diverse Styles: Lowbrow art often combines realism, abstraction, and surrealism to create a unique visual language. This mix of styles adds to the sense of visual interest and complexity, making each piece a feast for the eyes.
Incorporating Elements of Popular Culture
One of the defining features of lowbrow art is its deep connection to popular culture. By incorporating elements from everyday life, lowbrow artists create works that are both relatable and nostalgic. Here are some common elements of popular culture that you might find in lowbrow art:
Comic Book Characters: Many lowbrow artists draw inspiration from the world of comic books, featuring iconic characters and imagery in their work. This adds a sense of familiarity and fun, connecting the artwork to the viewer’s own experiences.
Graffiti and Street Art: The influence of graffiti and street art is evident in the bold lines and vibrant colors of lowbrow art. These elements bring a raw, urban edge to the pieces, reflecting the movement’s underground roots.
Hot Rod Culture: Imagery from hot rod culture, such as classic cars and pin-up girls, is a common theme in lowbrow art. This connection to automotive culture adds a sense of nostalgia and rebellion to the artwork.
Music and Musicians: Many lowbrow artists incorporate references to music and musicians in their work, celebrating the cultural impact of different musical genres. This adds an auditory dimension to the visual art, creating a richer, more immersive experience.
Film and Television: References to film and television are often used to create a sense of familiarity and connection with the viewer. These elements can add a narrative quality to the artwork, making it more engaging and relatable.
Advertising and Consumer Culture: Lowbrow art often critiques consumer culture by incorporating elements of advertising and mass media. This adds a layer of social commentary to the pieces, making them both visually striking and thought-provoking.
By weaving these elements of popular culture into their work, lowbrow artists create art that resonates with viewers on a personal level, reflecting their own experiences and interests.
Lowbrow Art and Pop Surrealism in Contemporary Art
Lowbrow art was once rejected by the mainstream critics but now it’s a big and respected movement in contemporary art. The Huntington Beach Art Center is a significant venue that showcased Robert Williams' work in 1998. Its humor, boldness and street culture has influenced galleries, exhibitions and even fine art. Artists like Robert Williams has been pushing the boundaries of what’s considered “acceptable” in art and brought underground culture to the surface.
Pop surrealism is on the rise with galleries all over the world hosting pop surrealism exhibitions. Lowbrow art appeals to a wide audience because it’s accessible and relatable. It challenges the traditional art norms and celebrates the absurdity and complexity of modern life, with the most lowbrow artworks encompassing a variety of mediums such as toys, digital art, and sculpture.
Conclusion
Creating lowbrow art with AI is not only fun but also a way to be part of a popular art movement that has changed the art world. By using AI tools you can get unique and cool pieces that are lowbrow art, combining street culture, fine art and popular imagery.
Get weird and start now!
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