No, the picture that you’re seeing is not a photograph. The image is actually a photorealistic pencil portrait drawn by Shania McDonagh. She’s 16 years old.
The teenaged prodigy who hails from County Mayo, Ireland was recently the grand prize winner at the Texaco Children’s Art Competition for sketching an exceptionally detailed portrait entitled “Coleman”. Using a photograph of an elderly man from the book, Vanishing Ireland, McDonagh went on to a close up of the man’s face with photographic precision. While this is not McDonagh’s first victory at the Texaco Children’s Art Competition, as she has won first prize in her age bracket for the past four years, this is the first time she’s won the grand prize of €1,500 (about $2070).
Judges at the competition raved about McDonagh’s skill. “[She’s] one of the most talented artists of her generation, and one whose skill could see her become one of Ireland’s foremost portrait artists of the future,” said director of the National College of Art & Design and judging panel chairman Prof. Declan McGonagle to The Irish Times.
Enjoy a complete view of Shania McDonagh’s amazing art work in the gallery below.
– Khari Clarke (@KINGCLARKEIII)
