Internet sensation Kelvin Okafor has earned a legion of followers with his impressive photo-realistic images. Pictured here, this portrait of Zoe Saldana is actually a drawing, each strand of hair intricately reproduced.
Photo trickery? -- Zoe Saldana —
Internet sensation Kelvin Okafor has earned a legion of followers with his impressive photo-realistic images. Pictured here, this portrait of Zoe Saldana is actually a drawing, each strand of hair intricately reproduced.
Courtesy Kelvin Okafor
The British-Nigerian artist's preferred tool of expression -- the simple pencil. "Having that instrument, using it and playing around with it," this was what fascinated Okafor as an eight-year-old beginning to experiment with art.
Photo trickery -- Mother Teresa —
The British-Nigerian artist's preferred tool of expression -- the simple pencil. "Having that instrument, using it and playing around with it," this was what fascinated Okafor as an eight-year-old beginning to experiment with art.
Courtesy Kelvin Okafor
Mother Teresa is given the pencil photo-real treatment in this partially complete drawing.
Photo trickery? -- Mother Teresa —
Mother Teresa is given the pencil photo-real treatment in this partially complete drawing.
Courtesy Kelvin Okafor
The artist's works start life as simple pencil outlines, drawn using charcoal and graphite. Shadings are used to give the illusion of color and add depth to achieve a photo-like quality.<br /> Pictured here, Barack Obama.
Photo trickery? -- Barack Obama —
The artist's works start life as simple pencil outlines, drawn using charcoal and graphite. Shadings are used to give the illusion of color and add depth to achieve a photo-like quality.
Pictured here, Barack Obama.
Courtesy Kelvin Okafor
"When I draw someone it's important that they feel comfortable so you can get their natural expressions," says Okafor. Of his projects, "I'll study it, I'll dream about it, but the thing about that is it allows me to draw from memory," he told CNN. <br />
Photo trickery? -- Kelvin Okafor's self portrait —
"When I draw someone it's important that they feel comfortable so you can get their natural expressions," says Okafor. Of his projects, "I'll study it, I'll dream about it, but the thing about that is it allows me to draw from memory," he told CNN.
Courtesy Kelvin Okafor
His latest portraits, titled "Interlude," are a series of images of women drawn with their eyes closed, to explore those moments of quiet contemplation.
Photo trickery? -- 'Kerry's Interlude' —
His latest portraits, titled "Interlude," are a series of images of women drawn with their eyes closed, to explore those moments of quiet contemplation.
Courtesy Kelvin Okafor
"Our technology age, as amazing as it is, it's very distracting, everyone has their [cell phones] glued to their hands. It does not allow you to have free independent thought," says Okafor. "It's about having that moment to yourself."
Photo trickery? -- 'Kathrine's Interlude' —
"Our technology age, as amazing as it is, it's very distracting, everyone has their [cell phones] glued to their hands. It does not allow you to have free independent thought," says Okafor. "It's about having that moment to yourself."
Courtesy Kelvin Okafor
The 31-year-old graduated with a degree in fine art from Middlesex University in London. Each hand drawn image can take a jaw-dropping 100 hours to complete -- but obviously not in a continuous sitting, he's quick to add.
Photo trickery? -- 'Mana's Interlude' —
The 31-year-old graduated with a degree in fine art from Middlesex University in London. Each hand drawn image can take a jaw-dropping 100 hours to complete -- but obviously not in a continuous sitting, he's quick to add.
Courtesy Kelvin Okafor
kafor's fascination for drawing with pencils began at eight years old. <br />Pictured here, an early drawing of Adele, before the artist refined his skills.<br />
Photo trickery? -- Singer Adele —
kafor's fascination for drawing with pencils began at eight years old.
Pictured here, an early drawing of Adele, before the artist refined his skills.
Courtesy Kelvin Okafor
After graduating college in 2009, friends encouraged him to join Facebook, and the young artist started to showcase his works on websites. It sent ripples of appreciation from enthusiasts, giving the artist courage to develop his skills further. Today, he has more than 100,000 followers on Instagram.
Photo trickery? -- 'Laura's Interlude' —
After graduating college in 2009, friends encouraged him to join Facebook, and the young artist started to showcase his works on websites. It sent ripples of appreciation from enthusiasts, giving the artist courage to develop his skills further. Today, he has more than 100,000 followers on Instagram.
Courtesy Kelvin Okafor
Okafor's images have extended beyond social media to be featured in exhibitions. His first solo show took place in 2014 at Albemarle Gallery, London.
Photo trickery? -- 'Laura's Interlude' —
Okafor's images have extended beyond social media to be featured in exhibitions. His first solo show took place in 2014 at Albemarle Gallery, London.
Courtesy Kelvin Okafor
His works can fetch up to £20,000 [$25,000] depending on the size.
Photo trickery? -- 'Maya's Interlude' —
His works can fetch up to £20,000 [$25,000] depending on the size.
Courtesy Kelvin Okafor
His devotion to the ubiquitous pencil led to an invitation by the manufacturer of his favorite pencil, Faber-Castell, to watch them being produced in Germany. <br />
Photo trickery -- 'Maya's Interlude' —
His devotion to the ubiquitous pencil led to an invitation by the manufacturer of his favorite pencil, Faber-Castell, to watch them being produced in Germany.
Courtesy Kelvin Okafor
Beyond wowing online audiences, the artist has also been giving drawing lessons to children in schools and colleges.
Photo trickery? -- 'Nawell's Interlude' —
Beyond wowing online audiences, the artist has also been giving drawing lessons to children in schools and colleges.
Courtesy Kelvin Okafor
"Along this journey I've ticked off so many things I want to do," says Okafor, "and most importantly being able to inspire others. I go into schools and I teach kids how to draw now and that's what's so important to me."<br />
Photo trickery? -- 'Sarah's Interlude' —
"Along this journey I've ticked off so many things I want to do," says Okafor, "and most importantly being able to inspire others. I go into schools and I teach kids how to draw now and that's what's so important to me."
Courtesy Kelvin Okafor