These beautiful Japanese portraits aren't photos or even computer graphics
“Such an extraordinary photo capturing the very essence of a Japanese woman,” one might think. But you would be wrong – no part of this image has come from the lens of a camera.
How about computer graphics? Technology these days is so amazing and makes characters so life-like. But no, nothing about this image is technology-driven, either.
In fact, it is actually something so basic that you would not even think of: Oil painting.
油絵で、主に人物画を描いております。
写真ではなくて絵画ですよ~
よろしくお願いいたします。
#私の作品もっと沢山の人に広がれ祭り pic.twitter.com/B7isLLn8FT— 岡靖知 (@yasutomooka) March 8, 2018
These stunning portraits are the masterpieces of Japanese artist Yasumoto Oka.
According to Oka, he used real-life models for his paintings but altered them to create the images he had in mind. These exquisite pieces were intricately crafted, with some even taking 20 days to complete!
人物画において、目を描き込む際が一番緊張します。
それだけ重要な部位だし、絵そのものの良し悪しを決めると言ってもよいです。 pic.twitter.com/pqdO54H19u— 岡靖知 (@yasutomooka) February 18, 2018
But what makes Oka’s works so “alive” is most likely the soulful eyes of the subjects. This is also the part he is most nervous to paint, as not only are the eyes the most important part of a portrait, they determine whether the painting is good or bad.
鉛筆画の作品も描いております。
モノクロ写真じゃないですよ~
よろしくお願いいたします。 #私の作品もっと沢山の人に広がれ祭り pic.twitter.com/oCNgLav23W— 岡靖知 (@yasutomooka) March 10, 2018
To top it off, Oka also dabbles in pencil drawings, which might make people think they are monochrome photos. But of course…
4~5年前の鉛筆画の作品
今月は取材や息抜きも兼ねて東京に行きます
みたい展示をリストアップしておこうかな。 pic.twitter.com/yloPfaJGwV— 岡靖知 (@yasutomooka) March 6, 2018
2014年作の油彩作品 F4号(個人蔵)
花粉に負けず今日も一日がんばります!! pic.twitter.com/3ELhCHrpud— 岡靖知 (@yasutomooka) March 6, 2018
…they are not.
Although Oka just ended his art exhibition in February, you can check out his website (Japanese only) for information on upcoming exhibitions. After all, seeing is believing.
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Japanese artist completed an incredibly detailed pencil-drawing after 280 hours