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Striking Hyperrealistic Drawings Are No Larger Than a Pen

Swedish student and artist Johanna (aka @jackdevilart) creates hyperrealistic drawings that are no larger than a pen or pencil. The striking monochromatic images depict insects, animals, and tiny portraits of humans, which are all posed next to her simple tools for scale. If you didn't have these hints, however, you might never realize just how small the drawings are–they're incredibly precise and meticulously detailed.

A mixture of fine-tipped pens and freshly-sharpened pencils help Johanna create the small marks and subtle shading needed to bring her miniscule subjects to life. Although mostly drawn in a realistic style, she's not afraid to mix techniques, either. Johanna often incorporates bold silhouettes for a dramatic flair, catching your eye and immediately commanding your attention.

Johanna: Instagram | Deviantart

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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