inspired by art
Art has the power to captivate, challenge, and transform the way we see the world, and certain artists have profoundly shaped my own creative journey. From the hauntingly detailed graphite work of Jono Dry to the monumental charcoal pieces of Robert Longo, each artist I admire has pushed the boundaries of realism in their own unique way. Chuck Close’s groundbreaking portraits, CJ Hendry’s meticulous pencil drawings, and Roberto Bernardi’s glass-like reflections have all reinforced my appreciation for precision and technique. Meanwhile, Tjalf Sparnaay’s oversized hyperrealistic food paintings and Pedro Campos’ flawless renderings of everyday objects reveal the beauty in the ordinary. Their mastery of light, texture, and scale continues to inspire me, reminding me that realism isn’t just about replication—it’s about evoking emotion, telling a story, and making the familiar feel extraordinary.
jono dry
Jono Dry’s surreal and hyper-detailed graphite drawings push the boundaries of realism, blending intricate textures with imaginative concepts. His ability to create depth, emotion, and storytelling through nothing but pencil is mesmerising. Watching his YouTube videos, where he shares his process and passion for graphite, reignited my own love for the medium. His dedication to craftsmanship and the way he transforms simple ideas into striking, thought-provoking works inspired me to return to graphite art with a renewed sense of purpose and creativity.
chuck close
Chuck Close’s massive, meticulously detailed portraits redefine the boundaries of photorealism, turning faces into mesmerising grids of color and texture. His innovative approach, often building images from pixel-like squares or fingerprints, transforms realism into something both mechanical and deeply human. Despite facing physical challenges due to a spinal artery collapse, Close continued to create groundbreaking work, proving that dedication and adaptation can push artistic limits. His mastery of detail and perseverance inspired me to explore the depth and texture of graphite, showing me that every mark—no matter how small—contributes to a powerful whole.
robert longo
Robert Longo’s monumental charcoal drawings are breathtaking in scale and intensity, capturing movement, drama, and raw emotion with striking precision. His iconic Men in the Cities series, depicting sharply dressed figures caught in contorted, almost violent poses, feels both cinematic and deeply psychological. The sheer size and detail of his work push the limits of charcoal, turning a traditionally delicate medium into something bold and commanding. Seeing his massive, hyper-detailed pieces made me appreciate the power of black and white, inspiring me to embrace charcoal’s depth and richness in my own work. His ability to create such immersive, larger-than-life imagery is nothing short of extraordinary.
pedro campos
Pedro Campos’ hyperrealistic oil paintings are so flawlessly executed that they blur the line between art and reality, often mistaken for high-resolution photographs. His precision in capturing reflections, textures, and light is awe-inspiring, turning everyday objects—glass jars, crumpled cans, glossy fruit—into stunning visual studies. There is a surreal perfection to his work, making the familiar feel almost otherworldly. His meticulous attention to detail inspires me to refine my own approach to realism, proving that even the most ordinary subjects, when observed closely, can become extraordinary works of art.
catherine jenna Hendry
CJ Hendry’s larger-than-life hyperrealistic drawings push the boundaries of what can be achieved with just pencil and paper. Her meticulous renderings of crumpled fabrics, luxury objects, and vivid color studies create an almost tactile experience, making viewers question whether they’re looking at a drawing or the real thing. The sheer scale and precision of her work amplify the impact, transforming everyday textures into something almost sculptural. Her ability to turn simplicity into spectacle has been a huge inspiration, reminding me that technical skill, patience, and attention to detail can elevate even the most ordinary subjects into breathtaking works of art.
tjalf sparnaay
Tjalf Sparnaay’s larger-than-life hyperrealistic paintings take ordinary food items—hamburgers, fried eggs, sandwiches—and transform them into bold, almost surreal spectacles. His ability to render textures like melting cheese, crisp lettuce, and glossy yolks with extreme precision makes his work both visually striking and tantalizingly real. The exaggerated scale adds to the drama, turning everyday meals into grand, almost mythical compositions. His approach to realism, where light, texture, and vibrancy are amplified, has inspired me to see familiar subjects in a new way—again proving that even the most mundane objects can become extraordinary when viewed through an artist’s lens.