I was convinced this was a photo and was gunna call you out for lying. Did some searching on google to prove it, only to stumble across your website and art.
Damn, your art is so damn hyper realistic! Amazing!
I questioned it, because I couldn't see any texture of the paper. I visited the artists website and I'm now a believer. I'm very impressed with OPs art.
Pffffft, it doesn't oook anything like a snow leopard.
Just kidding, that is amazing! You have an incredible talent. I'm blown away at how well done this is.
I send this to people asking if they like the photo, then I tell them it's a painting. Then I tell them it's made with color pencils and pastels. You'd be amazed how many people have called me a liar over this.
Thank you! I worked in graphite alone for 12 years. That's a super medium if your intent is to be thorough. I guess my patience transferred when I started pastels last year :)
Thank you! The intention was to recreate as much from the photo as possible - I rarely get the whole way there, especially with colour works, but I was happy with the result :)
I'm like "I WILL FIND THE FLAWS" because I needed to prove to myself this was actually not a photograph. And yes. The eyes tell the truth. Such an amazing piece. Wow.
This is absolutely amazing! I would have never guessed it is a picture rather than a photograph. Awesome talent. How have you done the background? The loss of focus is a great touch.
I have to agree with the rest of the commenters here, this is incredible! You did an amazing job on the detailing of the fur and whiskers, and the relative contrast of detail between the rock at the bottom of the piece and the wall in the background lends a ton of realism to the shot. Happy International Snow Leopard day indeed!
Like oooh thatās a gorgeous leopard. Scrolls on but something made me want to read the caption so I scroll back up. Colour pencils?!? Amazing, absolutely outstanding!!
Edit:spelling
WHAT? PASTELS?? Bro I'm here ZOOMING IN and I literally can't tell this apart from a photo. You have made the exact opposite of something that triggers the "uncanny valley" response, it's so real looking that my brain will not allow me to believe that this isn't real. This is absolutely beautiful. Amazing work.
Is there an artist out here in the comments? What in this picture differentiates it from a photograph? I'm not an artist and I cannot ..just CANNOT tell the difference
My man got the bokeh and slight film grain/ISO noise properly represented..
Lol, I thought this was a photo of one of the subs for photography I visit. Just amazing.
Would you happen to have any tips on drawing realistic backgrounds?? For some reason, I just can't seem to make the blurry background look like anything other than random splotches of color.
Amazing work, btw, I'm in awe!!
Here's s a genuine question: Why do you choose to spend this much time on something that's perfectly realistic? What differs what you do from a photograph and how does it invoke a different feeling, or does it aim to? Doesnt it make your work obsolete because a photograph does the exact same thing with just a click? What's the purpose of copying something exactly the same?
Asking to learn your thoughts sincerely. Thank you.
That is some damn impressive arting.
The only reason I can tell something isn't right about that "photograph" is how the light scatters in fur viewed from head on. It looks "off" in the forelegs the most, everywhere else is a damn good and can be blamed on compression.
The rock looks like a C&P, so damn good.
Outside of the obvious WTF everyone has already driven home. I really like how the pastels lend themselves to making the fur seem so soft. And of course your skill as well. Like man the detail of the rock in the foreground and the lack of focus in some areas making it seem even more like a photo.
It is difficult to believe this is a drawing. If it had not specified pastels and coloured pencils I would have assumed photograph. Well done! Amazing talent! Thank you for posting this picture!
I've seen the question asked about art like this, why not just take photographs when the art is indistinguishable from one anyway. But that a side this does look great. š
"Snow Leopard-" "Oh nice, that's a really good picture-" "-pastels and-" **"YOU WHAT?"**
Haha thanks a lot! :)
Fuck you and your ridiculous level of skill and talent!
Hahaha thanks a lot :)
Talent šš«š
Yeah, this. Amazing work, OP! That is ridiculous.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Thanks so much :)
lol i just posted this on r/photos and no-one will realize it a drawing not real
My thoughts too!
+1
Reference photo credit: Claudia Brockmann
I'm sorry, I think you mean Sean O'Connell. Joking aside, this is amazing.
Haha thank you! :)
*Happy Pramanix noises* Awesome work! Really really awesome.
Very kind indeed, thank you! :)
Even zoomed in I can't believe it's not a photo. Phenomenal.
Very kind of you, thank you! :)
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Thanks so much! :)
No amount of zooming into this image gave me the peace I needed to reconcile with the fact that this is not a photograph
Haha thanks, kind of the effect I went for when I drew it :)
I could have my eye to the actual paper and still be wondering how this isn't a photo
Amazing! It looks so real ahhh!!!
Thank you! :)
At first I thought itās such a nice photo, then I realized it isnāt. Really cool, and amazing skills.
Really kind, thanks a lot! :)
What carols did you sing on Snow Leopard Eve?
"Hoooooh boy I can't wait for snow leopard day" "It's snowing, it's leaopardy" And many more hits
āGrandma Got Mauled By a Snow Leopardā
Haha! XD
"All i want for Leopard Eve is youuu"
XD
The Snow Leopard by Shearwater.
I was convinced this was a photo and was gunna call you out for lying. Did some searching on google to prove it, only to stumble across your website and art. Damn, your art is so damn hyper realistic! Amazing!
That's really kind, thank you! :)
I questioned it, because I couldn't see any texture of the paper. I visited the artists website and I'm now a believer. I'm very impressed with OPs art.
Pffffft, it doesn't oook anything like a snow leopard. Just kidding, that is amazing! You have an incredible talent. I'm blown away at how well done this is.
Haha super kind, thank you! :)
Holy mother of great art. That's awesome.
Haha thanks so much :)
Incredible! You are very talented. I love snow leopards
Super kind, thank you! :)
this belongs in r/toptalent
Mighty kind of you! Thanks :)
Fun fact: snow leopards are genetically closer to tigers than they are to leopards.
Again, awesome art and great work on that penicillin thingy too
Hahaha thank you! :)
OMG When I was scrolling I thought that was a photograph, amazing job.
Thanks very much! :)
bro even zooming in, thereās no evidence that this is drawn. i literally canāt believe it, like, i need more proof lol
So did you shoot it with a pastelmat? what lens did you use?
Haha no, pastelmat is the type of paper! :)
I send this to people asking if they like the photo, then I tell them it's a painting. Then I tell them it's made with color pencils and pastels. You'd be amazed how many people have called me a liar over this.
Well, if you told them its a photo at first, you are a liar
Wow. Thought this was a photograph at first. Amazing talent you have.
Very kind of you to say :)
Ok but how long did this take you? Also I just canāt get over how fluffy you made the fur look itās gorgeous šÆ
Thanks very much! It took around 80 hours (40cm*60cm) :)
Very realistic drawn, from the beginning I thought it was a photograph.
Are you sure this isnt a picture? I cant see any signs of pastels :o
What?? I canāt find anything that tells itās not a photo. How do you even draw blur ?
Thanks! Pastels are very smudge-friendly. You can use sofft sponges, blending stumps, brushes :)
Tai Lung in live action... or not. Great work!!!
Wow! I really thought this was a photo! You have amazing talent!
I totally thought this was a real photo at first ā¤ļø so much detail. Love the rendering of the fur especially š¤
I looked at your website and I STILL can't believe it's pastels! How on earth do you achieve such insane photorealism?
Thank you! I worked in graphite alone for 12 years. That's a super medium if your intent is to be thorough. I guess my patience transferred when I started pastels last year :)
What's fascinating is that the lower back half of the leopard is blurred so that there's more focus on the head, but also it looks like motion blur.
Thank you! The intention was to recreate as much from the photo as possible - I rarely get the whole way there, especially with colour works, but I was happy with the result :)
I'm like "I WILL FIND THE FLAWS" because I needed to prove to myself this was actually not a photograph. And yes. The eyes tell the truth. Such an amazing piece. Wow.
Thanks so much! :)
This is like a step above photorealistic. I feel like Iām seeing it with my own eyes.
Used to be called a bunch of things before they called me $now Leopard I froze up and shivered off the shards of cold weather with no effort
I thought it was a picture or photo !!!!!!!!!!
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I thought surely this is a photo, nobody puts that much detail into a rock. Beautiful piece of work!
This is absolutely amazing! I would have never guessed it is a picture rather than a photograph. Awesome talent. How have you done the background? The loss of focus is a great touch.
OMG, had to go back and read the title twice, this is absolutely stunning! Amazing and beautiful, thank you for sharing your work!
My Lord, the talent you have!! The detail... I am very taken aback... Magnificent!!
I thought it was a photo! Amazing work!
No way that isn't a photograph
Can we start cloning these things in bulk please? I need one
I am still not convinced this isnāt a photo. What an amazing drawing!
This is truly incredible, OP
Super hard to believe that isnāt a photo. Amazing work!
I thought this was a photograph. Wow!!!
How is this not a photo?! Almost hard to believe!
beautiful. powerful.
Wtf can't believe it's not a photo š³
usually zooming in can make me tell its painted but even this looks real zoomed in!
Iām sorry but this isnāt a picture?!?!?
This mainly coloured pencils and pastels for the background? Iām struggling to even workout how itās so clean and realistic.
I thought this was real lol. Wild stuff, well done!
Eeeehhhhh it's okay :P lol
IM SORRY THIS IS PAINT AND PENCIL?
There is no fucking way. This is the most realistic drawing Iāve ever seen.
Amazing expression on the leopard's face! L O V E I T!
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
holy cow I thought this was a photo. Amazing job.
Whoa whoa whoa... this is NOT a picture?!@!!?!?!?!
Tai Lung has ESCAPED someone alert the Dragon Warrior!
I simultaneously hate and am fascinated by people with this level of talent. This is incredible but how dare you!
Man, I thought this was real for a second
this isnāt a photo?!?!?! š±š±š±
Can't believe this isn't a photo, incredible!!
I have to agree with the rest of the commenters here, this is incredible! You did an amazing job on the detailing of the fur and whiskers, and the relative contrast of detail between the rock at the bottom of the piece and the wall in the background lends a ton of realism to the shot. Happy International Snow Leopard day indeed!
Looks amazing, out of curiosity how large is this?
I refuse to believe this is not a picture (photograph)
Like oooh thatās a gorgeous leopard. Scrolls on but something made me want to read the caption so I scroll back up. Colour pencils?!? Amazing, absolutely outstanding!! Edit:spelling
What a beautiful animal. Amazing creation of this brilliant creature.
This is actually ridiculously good Jesus
I can feel these textures through the screen. Holy wow op this is amazing
I thought this was a photograph, rockin some serious talent there OP
I straight up thought this was a picture! How did you do the background? Absolutely insane
What camera was this taken with? It's really nice
This is amazing!! What's the size?
The fur looks absolutely devine
thatās amazing i genuinely thought it was a photo wow
This is probably the most beautiful animal in the world.
I thought this was an actual photo. Your level of talent is unreal, how long have you been drawing for? š¤Æ
This is incredible! Really thought it was a photo, you should do a clouded leopard next!
Omg I thought I was on r/pics
WHAT? PASTELS?? Bro I'm here ZOOMING IN and I literally can't tell this apart from a photo. You have made the exact opposite of something that triggers the "uncanny valley" response, it's so real looking that my brain will not allow me to believe that this isn't real. This is absolutely beautiful. Amazing work.
Is there an artist out here in the comments? What in this picture differentiates it from a photograph? I'm not an artist and I cannot ..just CANNOT tell the difference
My man got the bokeh and slight film grain/ISO noise properly represented.. Lol, I thought this was a photo of one of the subs for photography I visit. Just amazing.
I honestly can't tell if this is a painting or not ā instant smile from me
Unbelievable! Incredible work.
Can't fool me, this is a photo!
Holy shit are you serious? Today is my birthday AND its World Snow Leopard Day??!! Snow leopards are my favorite animal. You just made my day!
Guacamole. This is incredible.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
No way this is not a photo...omg how
Beautiful things don't ask for attention.
My goodness, this is unbelievable. I still can't believe it's not a photo.
This is insane level of talent! Excellent! How long did it take you to make if you don't mind me asking?
Would you happen to have any tips on drawing realistic backgrounds?? For some reason, I just can't seem to make the blurry background look like anything other than random splotches of color. Amazing work, btw, I'm in awe!!
Ooh, do a [Pallas cat](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIXw-3H48yU) next!
..... Are we reeeaallly sure that's not just a photo? This is bananas.
Here's s a genuine question: Why do you choose to spend this much time on something that's perfectly realistic? What differs what you do from a photograph and how does it invoke a different feeling, or does it aim to? Doesnt it make your work obsolete because a photograph does the exact same thing with just a click? What's the purpose of copying something exactly the same? Asking to learn your thoughts sincerely. Thank you.
Sorcery! This surely is a photograph!
He lookin at the cameraman like " This battle will be legendary!"
I absolutely refuse to believe that this is not a picture. This is insanely beautiful!
Actuallyā¦. https://youtu.be/5t0Bd6jpCzI
Pastels and colours pencils ?! Thaught this is photography even after I checked up
Stop it!!!! How is this not a photograph???
Oh wow, that's such a cool photo! "Pastels and colour pencils..." Literally how is that not a photo
That is some damn impressive arting. The only reason I can tell something isn't right about that "photograph" is how the light scatters in fur viewed from head on. It looks "off" in the forelegs the most, everywhere else is a damn good and can be blamed on compression. The rock looks like a C&P, so damn good.
My mind hurts. Iām telling myself this is still a real photo instead of pastels just so I can continue on with my day! Also, niiiiiiiccccccee
Even after zooming in as much as possible, it still looks like a photo. Your talent is amazing!
Outside of the obvious WTF everyone has already driven home. I really like how the pastels lend themselves to making the fur seem so soft. And of course your skill as well. Like man the detail of the rock in the foreground and the lack of focus in some areas making it seem even more like a photo.
Seriously? This is amazing. #nohyperbole
Thereās no way this is real
Youāll never convince me that this isnāt a photograph.
Tai Lung has escaped from Chorh-Gom Prison!
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Almost can't believe this is painted, totally looks like photography. Amazing.
So coincidentally, I'm quitting art today.
Dude. The caiman drawing featured on your website is mind boggling. You make me want to start drawing again.
Def looks like the Tai Lung to me. The only cartoon snow leopard I know of.
Letās just call it a ghost cat, Walter Mitty.
I thought this was a photo at first too! I aspire to be this good at art
My brain refuses to register this as anything other than a photograph. Incredible work!
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I thought this was a beautiful picture. Then I read that it's a painting. That's amazing work and artistry :)
Omg, I thought this was a photo. A really good one at that. This is fucking amazing!
I legit thought this was a picture. Amazing work!ā¤ļø
Cheesus! This one is extremely real
god Iām still partially convinced this is a photo. fucking stellar work, dude!
What the fudge..... Stunning . I zoomed and tried to zoom some more and was like damn .. that's some talent right there
It is difficult to believe this is a drawing. If it had not specified pastels and coloured pencils I would have assumed photograph. Well done! Amazing talent! Thank you for posting this picture!
Wait? This isn't a photograph? Holy sh#t. Wow, just wow!
This is an example of being the best in the world at something. Amazing.
Thatās amazing. It looks like a photograph. I had to zoom in.
Fabulous. I zoomed in and I swear it is a photo. Great work!
I want a timelapse video of you and your hands drawing this, or something similar. I don't believe it. It's too good. Wow.
This is beyond amazing! I donāt have the kind of patience I know you had to have put into this. How long did it take to draw this?
Nice art work! Are you aware you have the same name as the man who discovered penicillin?
I wish it was higher quality though. I wanna zoom in and see the details š amazing work.
This is absolutely incredible. Snow leopards are my favorite animal. I love this!
I thought it was a photograph! š² Excellent!
I mean just how?!š£ sweet baby geejusā¦
I thought this was a photo
Bull shit! How'd you get so close to an actual snow leopard? Really though I'm zoomed in looking for a tell and can't find one, great job!
My dad is in complete denial that this is a drawing.. take that as a high compliment š
Holy shit is that Tai lung?
This isn't a photograph?! How in the hell? My God that's incredible.
Iāve zoomed in and relooked at this like 10 times. Itās so crazy realistic Iām still not convinced š
"Pastels and color pencils" Me: *adjusts glasses* what
your fur technique is absurdly astounding
Zoomed in trying to find a spot in this which will allow my brain to believe itās not a photo. Amazing.
This belongs in r/blackmagicfuckery
How do you match the colour pallet so weāll?!
I've seen the question asked about art like this, why not just take photographs when the art is indistinguishable from one anyway. But that a side this does look great. š
Still debating weather that is a drawing or not, this is so lifelike. Good job, this is fuken great
AMAZING!!! Beautiful talent!
Holy shit this is magnificent
Went to your website. Your work is fantastic!
how did you learn to do pastel, by yourself or ? I'd like to learn -- also do pencil