This amazing picture series displays the remarkable skills of artist, who are engaged into Photorealism. With the help of shadows, light effects, extreme details, symmetrical, but also flowing shapes, these artists are able to reproduce reality on canvas.

One must admit, when looking at the paintings below that there is a lot of talent involved. Especially, since all of the paintings can be perceived as real-life photographs. If you would not know, would you have thought that someone actually drew these pictures? Rafael Bujnowski even managed to draw a picture so realistic, it was accepted by a governmental institution as a passport photo (see passport).

Unexpectedly, Photorealism has evolved from Pop Art in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the United States. It was a reactionary movement, which sought to counter the increase of photographic media in that time. Consequently, Photorealist artists aimed to re-establish the value of imagery in art, which started with the technological progress in photography during the mid 20th century. Contrary to Pop Art, Photorealism tried to capture and to display the nature of reality, in order to regain the pretension of art. [1]

Omar Ortiz – Using Oil on Linen

Image Credits: Omar Ortiz

Paul Cadden – Pencil and Paper

Image Credits: Paul Cadden

Kamalky Laureano – Acrylic Paint on Canvas

Image Credits: Kamalky Laureano

Gregory Thielker – Oil on Canvas

Image Credits: Gregory Thielker

Lee Price – Oil on Linen

Image Credits: Lee Price

Ben Weiner – Paintings of Paint

Image Credits: Ben Weiner

Ron Mueck – Hyper Realistic Human Sculptures

Image Credits: Ron Mueck

Kim Ji-hoon – Pencil

Image Credits: Kim Ji-hoon

Ray Hare – Acrylic Paint on Canvas

Image Credits: Ray Hare

Pedro Campos – Oil on Canvas

Image Credits: Pedro Campos

Dirk Dzimirsky – Pencil on Paper

Image Credits: Dirk Dzimirsky

Thomas Arvid – Giclée on Canvas

Image Credits: Thomas Arvid

Samuel Silva – Ballpoint Pen

Image Credits: Samuel Silva

Gottfried Helnwein – Oil and Acrylic on Canvas

Image Credits: Gottfried Helnwein

Mike Bayne – Oil on Wood Panel

Image Credits: Mike Bayne

Robert Longo – Charcoal on Mounted Paper

Image Credits: Robert Longo

Diego Fazio – Charcoal Pencil

Image Credits: Diego Fazio

Bryan Drury – Oil on Wood

Image Credits: Bryan Drury

Rafal Bujnowski – Black and White Photo-realistic Portrait 

(so realistic that a picture of it was accepted for his passport) Image Credits: Rafal Bujnowski

Robin Eley – Oil on Belgian Linen

Image Credits: Robin Eley

Kevin Okafor – Graphite Pencils on Paper

Image Credits: Kevin Okafor