I have always wanted to be an artist. Ever since I could hold a pencil draw a wobbly stick figure, that has been the dream.
But honestly, I don’t think I would have ever achieved that dream if not for the amazing artists that showed me what art really was. From my amazing older sister, who I loved to watch create amazing drawings; to Lee Hammond, who took realism to a new level for me when I first started diving deeper into art; to Rembrandt, whose extraordinarily detailed paintings seemed almost impossible, but was so inspiring.
Today I’ll be sharing with you some of my favorite artists, in no particular order, and some of my favorite pieces of theirs. I hope you enjoy!
(Disclaimer: none of these images belong to me. All credit goes to the artists.)
Austin DeGroot
This guy is an incredible artist with an equally amazing testimony. I discovered his art on Instagram a few years ago, and I think I can safely say that was the first time I was really introduced to digital art. I’d heard of it before but actually seeing it, I realized… “Woah, people actually make art this way…” Mind. Blown.
Tylor Hepner
Another artist I discovered on Instagram. I remember looking at his artwork, and thinking, I wonder if this guy is a Christian… And it turns out he is! And even though most of his work is fan art, he takes it to the next level and you can totally tell he’s creating for God’s glory.
Lesley Harrison
I remember checking out Lesley Harrison’s book, Painting Animals that touch the heart, from the library and marveling at her work. Her paintings are so realistic. Almost like a photograph, but so much more. They’re just so full of life and feeling, and everything I’ve wanted in my own artwork.
Nick Sider
LIONS!! What else is there to say? I don’t typically like wildlife art, but his wildlife paintings are absolutely magnificent. I now want to purchase a gigantic canvas and paint a lion. Although, I’m not sure I would have the patience to paint so many details.
Mariann
…also known as Pencil_Drawing_Portraits on Instagram.
As an artist who adores portraiture, I am both in awe and inspired every time I see Mariann’s work. The detail. The DETAIL! I mean, you can see for yourself, so I’ll stop gushing now. (*whispers* but the detaaaail… I can’t get over it.)
So there you have it. Five of my favorite artists. Five artists who inspire me not only because of their incredible realism, or wonderful knowledge of light and color, but because they’re able to go deeper and capture the heart behind their subject. That, for me, is what art really is.
What artists have inspired you? I love discovering new amazing artists, so let me know in the comments!
Stay lionhearted, y’all.
Lionhearted Art 
Joshua Gibbs paints pictures with words. Favorite author of late.
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Cool! 😊👍 I’ll have to read his book. (I got dibs. 😉)
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Woahhhh these are fantastic. I had never heard of these artists – prolly because I don’t work with pencils or digital art (and am not on instagram)- but these are stunning. My favorites right now are Pascal Campion, Lee White, and Diana Sudyka. I am drawn to the whimsical if you can’t tell. 😉
I love this post Chalice. (: ❤
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Oh, yes! I LOVE Pascal Campion’s art! It’s amazing how he captures beauty in the ordinary, and yet does it in such a simple way. 😊💛
Yeah, I’m generally more drawn to realism but that whimsical style is very inspiring to me, because it’s so simple and so thoughtful.🥰
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WOW, it’s so shocking sometimes what artists are capable of creating. Sometimes I feel like I’m staring at a photograph instead of a painting or drawing, it’s so real looking 😱
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I know!! I will never stop being amazed by what humans are able to create.
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Well Chalice, Mariann has nothing on you. Your portraits take MY breath away. I keep looking at them, every detail. I am so amazed. YOU are my favorite artist.
Love you.
Grandma
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Aw, Grandma… 😭💛 Thank you.
I love you too.
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These pieces of art are breathtaking.
*mind blown*
It’s incredible, the things that people are capable in the world of art…even though I don’t paint or work in digital art or draw portraits, this post is really inspiring me to go out and do the very best I can in my creative pursuits.
Thank you for sharing these artists with us, Chalice! ❤️❤️❤️
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Yay! I’m so glad this has inspired you! 😊💛 *sigh* That is so much what I want in my own art (and everything else I do). To inspire other to give their very best and never settle for less. So, you, my friend, have inspired me. 😉
‘Twas my pleasure! 😁💛💛
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WOW, is there some incredible art in this post! thank you for sharing chalice!
power to the local dreamer ||-//
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I know, right? 😆 My pleasure! 😊
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Whoahhh
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😁😁
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