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

6 Comments
Melody Sage on 10.29.2012 at 21:09 PM
Such interesting stunning work.
Ella DeCure on 10.30.2012 at 01:54 AM
OMG, OMG, OMG – this is AMAZING. Can’t tear my eyes away from these… Just googled artist, more of his genius via http://www.benjaminshine.com this guy is truly gifted.
Maz on 10.30.2012 at 02:38 AM
Seriously, those faces are made from fabric?? Gulp…I feel incredibly inferior. Hats off to you dude.
Tiffany on 10.30.2012 at 15:55 PM
Thank you for sharing this gorgeous work, as well as the link to the artist’s website. I’m amazed at the many different ways people can create portraits.
Lizz on 10.31.2012 at 12:59 PM
really great installation work, but I am shocked that he isn’t wearing a respirator!!! This is really dangerous practice, unless the photos were staged after the work was made. cool stuff though!
Marcus on 11.03.2012 at 08:38 AM
Am truly inspired by his work, have seen the blue hands piece in person at the SCIN gallery in London – stood and stared at it for an hour.
Want your image to appear next to your comment? Get a gravatar!Leave A Comment