Since the days of Andy Warhol, the art world has openly engaged with the cult of celebrity. It’s not uncommon for an artist to use celebrities’ likenesses in their pieces — Daniel Edwards has made a career out of sculpting public figures like Britney Spears in provocative positions — yet rarely does one see works as lifelike and simple as Carmen Ortiz’s illustrations. A self-taught artist, Ortiz creates pencil portraits that are remarkably detailed and beautifully shaded. With the increasing popularity of digital artwork, her hand-drawn portraits are a refreshing change. Click through to see some of our favorite portraits of actors and musicians, including Thom Yorke and Anne Hathaway. If you’re interested in seeing more of her work or purchasing a print, head over to Ortiz’s website.
Image credit: Carmen Ortiz [via Design You Trust]
Image credit: Carmen Ortiz
Image credit: Carmen Ortiz
Image credit: Carmen Ortiz
Image credit: Carmen Ortiz
Image credit: Carmen Ortiz
Image credit: Carmen Ortiz
Image credit: Carmen Ortiz
Image credit: Carmen Ortiz
Image credit: Carmen Ortiz