Paul Cadden's Hyperrealism Artwork
#14 4 Days
This drawing of an old man shows rich skin and fabric textures. Every white whisker in the depicted man's beard and eyebrows is actually negative space where the artist's graphite did not touch the paper.
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15:
after
Paul Cadden's hyperrealistic hand-drawn artwork is based on photographs, but he attempts to push further in the depiction of his subjects. The wet hair and water droplets in this graphite drawing demonstrate the artist ability to use details to create an illusion.
14:
4 Days
This drawing of an old man shows rich skin and fabric textures. Every white whisker in the depicted man's beard and eyebrows is actually negative space where the artist's graphite did not touch the paper.
13:
Waiting
This drawing shows Cadden's attention to detail beyond the human face, creating a mood using background and a person depicted from the chest down. You can almost feel the dirt on the sidewalk.
12:
The Dream Of War
The truck depicted here is not a perfect illusion, but conveys a strong theme of things falling apart. The natural landscape and sky on the other hand are amazingly rendered in their realism.
11:
NVA 24
Another intimate portrait, this drawing of an asymmetrical face uses lighting effects and deep shadow lines to convey a sense of a man who has seen a lot and got old before his time.
10:
New York 43
This street scene in New York depicts the passing crowds, cars, and the commercial activity in the background. Along with the large dyson vacuum billboard, you can also see The lion king musical and a Mc Donalds in the background.
9:
Scottish Landscapes
Paul Cadden draws still lifes of garbage piled up on the streets of his native Scotland. The details include not just the sense of a third dimension but realistic empty clear glass bottles and light reflecting off metal.
8:
New York 12
Another street scene in New York. This drawing comes to life with the people hanging out at the sidewalk cafe, but the most amazing details are in the reflections on the glass windows in the background.
7:
India
Another drawing of a wizened figure. The emotional impact in the depiction of the lines in old woman's face conveys the artists intent to "Intensify the Normal".
6:
New York 24
Another street scene, this piece demonstrates the artist's mastery of focus, perspective, and lighting. The shadows in the foreground and layered traffic in the background complete the illusion.
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complicated-sentiment
Some of Cadden's more recent work includes horses, showing an interest in animal physiology. Titled "complicated-sentiment" this piece remains tied to the emotional themes of his other portraits.
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Detail
This pieces shows even more of the attention Cadden gives to how the horse's skin and muscles should look. He claims that if he hadn't become an artist he would have studied veterinary science or marine biology.
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painted-context
Although primarily known for his pencil drawings, he does use paint on occasion in his exhibition work. This piece was done with of acrylic wash over a pastel drawing.
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Artist in studio
Here is the artist in his studio, surrounded by a few pieces of his finished and unfinished work. He claims he does not want the viewer just to focus on the external detail, but feel the inner life he tries to put into his subjects.
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Artist at work
This is a photograph of the artist at work on one of his larger pieces. He predominantly uses pencil and graphite, adding in levels of detail until the realism is complete.
