Artist Jono Dry Creates Realistic Pencil Drawings That Look Like HD Photos

Cape Town-based self-taught artist Jono Dry creates large-scale graphite drawings that generally convey confusion of the real and unreal. By using only a pencil and paper, he takes mental health and its metaphors as subject for his artworks. With highly detailed scenes illustrated in pencil with photographic precision, the talented artist was able to fuse hyperrealism and surrealism. And by doing so, each of his creations give the best of both worlds.

So, Jono takes inspiration from mythology and the complexities of identity and depression. Headless figures holding hot air balloons, naked people partially wrapped in fabric, women with animal horns and Ikebana flower arrangements sprouting from the subjects’ heads. These are some of his common motifs serving as obscure symbolism and with the empty darkness surrounding the figures, each drawing appears like a dark dream came to life.

 

South African artist Jono Dry creates pencil drawings that are both hyperreal and surreal

Furthermore, his photograph-like drawings often highlight mundane features such as the delicate folds of the skin, the mesmerizing pattern of the eye’s iris and the shimmer of a single water drop. Jono lets his subjects stand alone against the darkness to evoke a sense of fleeting uncertainty between fact and fiction.

 

“I enjoy the idea of having no limit with my work. When the only limit is your imagination, it becomes a wonderful challenge to see how far it can stretch.”, the artist says. “It feels like I’m constantly exploring and pushing the boundaries of my own imagination with the goal to find something worth spending time, bringing to life in the form of a drawing.”

 

So, lets take a look at some of his work

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Discomposure – Pencil on paper I feel there has been a sort of tearing away from the self I have grown to know over the years… Breaking away from my more recent work, this piece marks a departure as well as a development within my life. Making mistakes, as well as coming to terms with those mistakes, is something with which I have always struggled. It reflects in my work that I try to maintain control over as much of my practice and personal life as possible. But while striving for perfection, or just general people pleasing is motivating and can feel good, feeling bound by this standard can be more like a crutch or defence mechanism than an authentic way of being. This piece considers the burden of shame, my own practice of composure and ultimately, the process of dismantling that composure and being seen; flaws and all. I hope you enjoy it.?• • •?#art #artist #pencil #drawing #sketch #draw #pencildrawing #gallerynight #daily_art #creative #artwork #arts_mag #artsanity #artistoninstagram #art_spotlight #inspiration #flowers #beautifulbizarre #instagram

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You can follow Jono on Instagram to see his entire portfolio of stunning pencil drawings. But, we’ve picked out some of his best works so far to challenge your sense of reality. Once you see how realistic his drawings are, it will be almost impossible to believe they are drawn in pencil.

 

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A cheaper banana – pencil on paper

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New pencil drawing ‘Honey’ Over the past two years, I’ve felt so caught up in trying to produce work that means something, that has depth and isn’t simply decorative. Previously, I had enjoyed the challenge of trying to merge thought and image, but recently I have found myself trapped by concepts. I worried the themes I had been exploring were beginning to feel limiting, like I had worn them out. I had forgotten how it felt to play, and my work was beginning to feel stagnant. With this drawing, I rediscovered a very simple joy in making. To make without pressure, to make differently, and without the weight of meaning or substance. Meaning came later – as the drawing came into focus so too did its conceptual intrigue. But for me this piece is less about ideas than it is a rediscovery of the pleasure in creating. I have always loved drawing eyes, and used to draw one every year to mark my progress. After a two-year pause, I’m happy to return to the habit.

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“Iris” Pencil on Arches Paper?Sometimes it’s important to reward yourself. Take the pressure off and do something familiar, to give yourself some confidence again. After the previous drawing I decided to treat myself to something I knew I could do. Drawing this piece was nothing but joy. Looking forward to coming into the studio every day, I enjoyed getting lost in details with out doubting myself. ?While it’s important to push yourself, there is an element of anxiety and stress around constantly trying to push what you are doing to the next level. I think it’s important to sometimes put what you have learned to practice by visiting something familiar. It gives an opportunity to see how you have grown. ?Let me know what you think 🙂

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We think the detail on this amazing because the water looks real.

 

 

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Close up on the detail pencil work of ‘Ritual’

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Here is the artist at work!

 

 

Some of his pieces feature hands and this one also has a figure

 

But this one has a hand and a tree.

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High res scan of the new Pencil drawing "Autumn"

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This drawing is called “To Be Tamed” and it is an intricate work of art.

 

A lot of this work features people

 

While his other work features amazing detail like this one

 

So, which drawing is your favorite? Let us know!

Source: Instagram
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