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Tulle Portraits by Benjamin Shine

Instead of painting with paint, British artist Benjamin Shine creates his portraits with tulle — you know, that netting fabric that you see on various gowns or tutus. Shine takes a single piece of tulle and proceeds to pleat, iron, and manipulate it into these hauntingly realistic portraits full of light, shadow, and dimension.


Elizabeth Taylor (first image also)

The three-dimensional pieces show unbelievable likeness to the person they are meant to portray, despite the use of such a raw textile.


Elizabeth Taylor


Andy Warhol

While not a portrait per se, the “Hands of Time” installation is made from over 50 meters (approx. 164 feet) of tulle. The detail created is unreal!


Hands of Time – in process


Hands of Time – close up


Hands of Time – detail


Hands of Time – side view


Sheikah


Sheikah – in process


Mrs. Foster


Giusi


Chloe


John

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.