Update:
I've started filming some free tutorials that show and explain how I produce my realistic drawings. You can see several of them on my youtube channel from the link below:
Free Drawing TutorialsIf you sign up on my email list on my website, you can get a notification of new tutorials as they become available.
Thanks so much for everyone's interest in my work.
JD
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Artist's Statement:
"Like most artists, I have a need to communicate pictorially rather than with words. Although I try to push the limits of realism in a black and white medium, simply imitating reality isn't my primary goal. I use the technical skills I have developed to tell a story or evoke an emotion. I feel I've successfully communicated with someone when they identify with the essence of a particular piece, and it brings about new thoughts or feelings."
About the Artist:
A natural ability and strong desire to draw surfaced early in J. D. Hillberry's life. While growing up in Wyoming, he began developing his own techniques of blending charcoal and graphite to give a photo realistic look to his drawings. J. D. uses this monochromatic medium to focus the viewer's attention to the drama of light, shadow, and texture without the added influence of color. Throughout his career, He has tried to push the limits of realistic expression with drawing. After moving to Colorado in 1989, Hillberry began experimenting with trompe l'oeil drawings. Traditionally, this type of artwork is done with oils, but he has successfully rendered images so realistically, they fool the eye into thinking that real objects are displayed in a shadow box frame.
Mr. Hillberry has been a professional artist for over 22 years. In that time he has become one of the most well known and respected artists in his field. He has also become known for his willingness to share his techniques. His book “Drawing Realistic Textures in Pencil” has sold over 60,000 copies and has become a "must have" drawing instruction book used by art students worldwide. J. D. also conducts drawing workshops that draw students to Colorado from coast to coast as well as Europe and Canada. Through his classes and exhibitions, J. D. Hillberry continues to expand the public's perception of realism in drawing.