Illusory art has been around since Ancient times, when unknown painters depicted fictional landscapes on inside walls of wealthy Pompeians. And even earlier, on Crete and throughout the Greece. Illusionism was the only tool painters of antiquity had that allowed them to create the feeling of depth, artificial space on a flat surface.
As times were changing, art was evolving as well and many more styles and expressions came to life. It wasn’t until the early Renaissance that space became so crucial for the painter. Newly discovered mathematical instruments, such as perspective, and the return to the most celebrated period of Antiquity, drove the artists of 14th, and even more 15th century, to develop fantastic images with seemingly real and deep space. The more real the subject felt, the more successful the work was.
Still, the glorious time of illusionism in art came with the baroque era. It wasn’t until late Renaissance pupils, such as Giulio Romano, or Baroque masters, such as Pietro Cortona, started painting on palace ceilings, that the true potential of this apparitional style was evident. Ever since, the meticulousness and the skill employed by the artists to create the perfect illusion was celebrated throughout the world, especially in the Western culture. It birthed many more art movements, and inspired an army of creatives, which it continues to do to this day.
Modern are diverted from the realistic illusionism for a little while, rendering more contemplative subjects, but the contemporary aspirations are bringing it slowly back. It started with 3D street art, and it continues to 3D drawings, which are becoming the obsession and interest of numerous creatives of our time.
Examples of 3D drawings
Drawing is the proof of artistry, the testament to the potential and the skill of the artist, while 3D drawings takes the ancient technique a step further. Requiring perfectly steady hand and a brilliant eye, 3D drawings and realistic pencil drawings show a sense for real space, answering all the optical requirements to create the perfect illusion.
Here are 50 images of the most impressive three dimensions drawings created by some of the most talented artists of this demanding technique.
44. Ramon Bruin – 3D drawing Feathers
– As it flies low over his paper, Bruin’s bird seems to have lost a feather.
Evolution of Illusionism art
1. Dare you touch?
If there weren’t for colored pencils, would you have guessed this wasn’t a real snake? Hardly.
2. Amazing Trio
Just like Three Graces, three characters are drawing each other, in a game that tricks the eye.
3. 3D Ladder drawing
When viewed from a particular angle, 3D illusion comes to life. The same goes for this simple ladder.
4. Angry Chef 3D drawings
Playing with pencil sometimes means cutting and playing with paper.
5. Scattered Pencils
In this depiction of a confusing landscape connected by pencils, one cannot but wonder – what is up and what is down?
6. Alessandro Diddi – Column 3D drawing
Done by one of the most skillful artists, Alessandro Diddi. Here, he created a stunningly realistic column.
Note how the artist created the illusion of space and the illusion he is actually holding an item. The artist paid an homage to the great creator of the “Alien”, one of the most frightening and most successful sci-fi horror stories ever. Diddi’s Alien is not so scary, although it looks real. It’s wonderful what this man’s hand can make! If he wants a pet – he just draws one. Here, the paper cutouts are crucial. Ben Heine is a Belgian artist immersed into 3D art. His work is large in scale and interactive, like this not-so-threatening gun. Combining drawing and painting, this artist makes wonderful scenes. Note how the drawing melts with the environment. Imagine if this man really caught the gigantic monster Heine envisioned! Artist Carmen Harada is focused on recreating items from her immediate surroundings. This drawing of glasses makes the viewer want to pick them up. The same goes for the mug, probably something she sees every day. Wine glass is obviously drafted on paper, but it’s a great example of a 3D drawing exercise. Dolphin tattoos are very popular, but this hand work of dolphin looks better than any tattoo. One of the most favorite video game characters from a few decades ago, brought to life by a skillful hand and eye of the artist. This phenomenal owl is probably one of Fredo’s most successful artwotks. Weirdly functioning stairs and oddly looking creatures come out from the artist’s imagination, while obviously referring to Escher and his pioneering work. Playing with the idea of a stolen heart of an ace, the artist references Banksy, while making a sweet little illusion. It appears Giannis’ butterfly escaped from the sheet! This piece of work really came to life. The idea of a bird hatching from paper is awkward, but here it’s exceptionally well conducted. The artist often depicts characters from anime culture rendered in 3D. Here is a realistic combination of a hand and a crouching boy. Like the X-men? This image of Wolverine is really impressive, in drawing and in deception alike. The standing figure appears to be in front of several sheets of paper, on which it is actually executed. Doesn’t it remind you of the Thing, the Adams’ Family pet? It sure does look real enough… This hand work of insect even seems to be in motion, as its wings still flutter. A great example of realistic style. The girl slowly emerges from the paper into our world. This is a lovely little dwarf game! Dwarfs appear on, underneath, all over the drawing kit. They are really lively and amazingly drafted! This piece depicts a butterfly that is ready to fly upwards. The shading creates the 3D effect that shows the technique can be done in color, too. One of the favorite characters form the Ice Age brought to life! A very cool drawing of Snatch. Escher is one of the greatest masters of printmaking and illusion of the 20th century. In this lithograph, he shows a neverending circle of creation through two drawing hands. Barenghi is probably one of the best today in making colored 3D drawings. This can looks like trash and not a piece of art drafted on paper! This deck of cards looks so realistic, that it invites the viewer to reach and play! Anyone lost a buck? Well, Barenghi might have, but no – this is actually a drawing. This 3D drawing of a Rubik’s Cube portrays all the skill the artist has when it comes to extracting flat images into the third dimension. Ejleh is a widely known artist for his 3D drawings, whose work flows over the internet. If there were a board-game of Angry Birds – this would be it! This is one of the artist’s most shared works, because of the stunning deceptive effect. Is this Lego figurine holding a wine glass? No? Well, it sure appears as if it does! In a slight homage to the Star Wars, C3PO emerges from the depth of the artist’s paper. Whenever he feels like Venice, this artist can conjure it up before him! An imaginative character sitting on a surreal vine – a great example of 3D drawing. Ramon Bruin is another famous 3D drawing artist. Here is an eye looking back at us from the depth of his fantasy. This miniature rhino almost could be a pet! A monstrous snake broke its way from behind the white drawing paper of the artist. Sharks over somebody’s homework? Strange omen, but they do appear real! Something either wicked or playful this way comes, from the sheets of Bruins draughtsmanship. Here is a miniature homage to graffiti by this wonderful 3D drawing maker. This beautiful old ship is the symbol of the artist’s imagination and inspiration. Truly an amazing work of 3D art! 
8. Alessandro Diddi – Hommage to Giger
9. Alessandro Diddi – Jumping Dolphin
10. Ben Heine – Gun 3D drawing
11. Ben Heine – Sparrows 3D drawing
12. Ben Heine – Fisherman
13. Carmen Harada – My Mother Glasses 3D drawing
14. Carmen Harada – Snoopy Mug
15. Carmen Harada – Wine Glass
16. Cruz – Dolphin 3D drawing
17. Ferdi Firat – Super Mario
18. Fredo – Wizdom Productions 3D drawings
19. Fredo – Strange stairs
20. Giannis Anogianakis – Ace of Hearts
21. Giannis Anogianakis – Butterfly 3D drawing
22. Hatching Bird
23. Iza Nagi – Hand and boy
24. Iza Nagi – Wolverine
25. Iza Nagi – Standing boy
26. Jeroen88 – Hand
27. Jose A. – An Insect 3D drawing
28. KIM – Sitting Girl 3D drawing
29. Little Paper Dwarfs 3D drawing
30. Lucky978 – Butterfly 3D drawing
31. Mathio91 – Snatch
32. M.C. ESCHER – 3D Drawing Hands, 1948, lithograph
33. Marcello Barenghi – Crushed Coke Can
34. Marcello Barenghi – An Old Deck of Cards 3D drawing
35. Marcello Barenghi – Squooshed Dollar Bill
36. Marcello Barenghi – Rubik’s Cube
37. Muhammad Ejleh – Angry Birds
38. Muhammad Ejleh – Eiffel Tower 3D drawing
39. Muhammad Ejleh – LEGO Man
40. Muhammad Ejleh – C3PO
41. Muhammad Ejleh – Venice
42. Nagai Hideyuki – Sitting figure
43. Ramon Bruin – Eye
45. Ramon Bruin – Rhino
46. Ramon Bruin – Snake
47. Ramon Bruin – Sharks
48. Ramon Bruin – Come Out and Play
49. Ramon Bruin – Graffiti
50. Ramon Bruin – While Sailing Through The Thoughts of My Imagination
Your drawings are amazing!!! Come check mine at my website and perhaps I could tell you how you could improve? I am world-renowned so please take my advice as graciously as possible! Looking forward to maybe meeting you in person? AHAH just kidding OOPS