Multidisciplinary artist Ben Heine has been taking photos and drawing almost since he was 10 years old. His mixed-media “Pencil Vs Camera” photography series is nothing but the result of several years of graphic exploration and a logical conclusion of his artistic evolution, says Ben. But the real idea for his pencil drawings came while he was watching television and writing a letter at the same time a few weeks ago.
Reading my letter before putting it in the envelope, I saw in transparency the television behind the paper. I then realized it would be great to make something similar in a single image using forced perspective showing two different actions. I went outside and created “Pencil Vs Camera 1″ which is very simple in photography and illustration combined. About ¼ of the scene is represented on the paper, the other ¾ happens on the photo.
So this is roughly how the project and these funny drawings started. In my other “Pencil Vs Camera” images, I tried to introduce weird elements on the paper (such as dinosaurs, ufo’s, double pair of eyes…) to contrast with the realism of the photo.
Here’s Ben’s advice on how to make your own superimposed art too! Drawing over photographs is one quick and easy way to get started:
Take a photo of a great place, print it, make a surreal drawing still connected with the atmosphere of the photo, place the drawing over the picture with your hand holding it, take a new picture of this composition, reframe and retouch the arrangement afterwards if necessary.
Websites: benheine.com flickr
Pencil vs Camera (Part II)
