I found this guy named Kyle Fleming on Instagram who has been a professional Etch-A-Sketch artist for over 10 years. If he didn't post the time-lapse videos of him creating it, I would think it was fake. Instead of using straight lines to do the shading, he often creates a grey scale by etching impossibly small, intricate squiggles. Zoom in on some of these pictures to fully appreciate them.
More info: kyleflemingsart.weebly.com | Instagram
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Amazing! I can't do a straight line and just look at this. Wonderful.
I have a really good idea marcus! Tearn your art into coloring sheets but make sure to make originals. Please upvote guys so this can be seen by Marcus thanks!
While I've grown to share your views on the subject matter; I still like to showcase this image as a starting point for conversations on communism. I don't see it as a waste of time, because there is a lot of talking that revolves around this one, like your comment for instance.
Load More Replies...I wasn't trying to glorify socialism with this image, I just wanted to find a super iconic portrait that would work with the style of shading I had in mind. I understand that a lot of people will identify Che with Communism, and rightly so; but if you have a huge problem with Communism, you should start by checking the "made in" tag on your computer, smart-phone, clothes, shoes, appliances, etc... and ask yourself why you're supporting it through personal funding.
Load More Replies...Amazing all of them. Wow and I thought I was good. Love the way he manages to maze all so that there aren't any stray lines.
I'm no My Little Pony fan, but technically, as far as detail and precision are concerned I've always thought this was one of the best Etches I've ever made.
Professional Etch a Sketch... That's some next level s**t. Most of us can't manage a single solid line and this guy has gone pro in a medium DESIGNED to be temporary. Art God Status: Unlocked
Just did a vanity search and found this post. Thanks for sharing my work Marcus! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram.
This man is a genius! I have never been able to make a circle. I am very envious. Amazing work!
WOW, just wow. I can't imagine the patience that takes, so Huge props for your amazing skills! If there were like Etch A Sketch competitions, you'd knock it out :)
Thanks so much Alwright. If there ever is an Etch-A-Sketch competition, I hope you're the judge!
Load More Replies...Great! I can't even write my name without the urge to throw that thing out of the window! Would be awesome to see a video of you, performing your art. Like a making of video!
Thanks Dave. You can see time-lapse etching videos, as well as mini documentaries, animation, and promotional appearances on my Instagram account. Just follow the link at the top of this article.
Load More Replies...Ive always been impressed by these artists! I was pretty good myself as a teen, but...it became time to put away childish things. LOL
Never too late to pick it back up Melody. I'd be interested to see what you create!
Load More Replies...I ke Etch-a-Sketch art! It seems that Etch-a-Sketch had a revival a few years ago, then slipped away again. Nice work.
I think there are more Etch-A-Sketch artists now then ever. When I started over 10 years ago, and there were only a handful of us. Now there's lot's with only one or two that have continued on through the decade. A quick Instagram search will find you dozens of devoted etchers.
Load More Replies...I'm still working on making a simple circle. You've got some mad rad skills Kyle!
Thanks again Tamara. Circles are the hardest. If you can master them, you can do anything!
Load More Replies...Plotting out regular art means you start with an outline, then usually go to specific components of the work that aren't necessarily connected, doing art on an etch a sketch means you start at one end and then have to somehow plot the entire thing in your mind so you don't get trapped in a corner or forget a section you can't go back to. I used to try doing this when I was a teen and failed miserably, so I have a very tiny understanding of what talent it takes to create these, and I'm absolutely blown away at not only the skill but the planning it must take. Very cool!
Thanks Pam. As long as you lay it out so that everything is connected, what I do, is just retrace over lines so I don't get trapped in a corner. The hard part is following the original line without widening it. Whenever I do a portrait in pencil or Etch-A-Sketch, although unconventional, I start at an eye. I use the eyes as the anchor point for everything, and look to see how they relate to the other features. It's a kind of mathy approach. You can see time-lapse videos of my etches on Instagram, and examples of the other mediums I use, like bleach, digital and pyrography on my webside . Both are linked at the top.
Load More Replies...This just made it to the front page of boingboing today!!!
Professional Etch a Sketch... That's some next level s**t. Most of us can't manage a single solid line and this guy has gone pro in a medium DESIGNED to be temporary. Art God Status: Unlocked
Just did a vanity search and found this post. Thanks for sharing my work Marcus! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram.
This man is a genius! I have never been able to make a circle. I am very envious. Amazing work!
WOW, just wow. I can't imagine the patience that takes, so Huge props for your amazing skills! If there were like Etch A Sketch competitions, you'd knock it out :)
Thanks so much Alwright. If there ever is an Etch-A-Sketch competition, I hope you're the judge!
Load More Replies...Great! I can't even write my name without the urge to throw that thing out of the window! Would be awesome to see a video of you, performing your art. Like a making of video!
Thanks Dave. You can see time-lapse etching videos, as well as mini documentaries, animation, and promotional appearances on my Instagram account. Just follow the link at the top of this article.
Load More Replies...Ive always been impressed by these artists! I was pretty good myself as a teen, but...it became time to put away childish things. LOL
Never too late to pick it back up Melody. I'd be interested to see what you create!
Load More Replies...I ke Etch-a-Sketch art! It seems that Etch-a-Sketch had a revival a few years ago, then slipped away again. Nice work.
I think there are more Etch-A-Sketch artists now then ever. When I started over 10 years ago, and there were only a handful of us. Now there's lot's with only one or two that have continued on through the decade. A quick Instagram search will find you dozens of devoted etchers.
Load More Replies...I'm still working on making a simple circle. You've got some mad rad skills Kyle!
Thanks again Tamara. Circles are the hardest. If you can master them, you can do anything!
Load More Replies...Plotting out regular art means you start with an outline, then usually go to specific components of the work that aren't necessarily connected, doing art on an etch a sketch means you start at one end and then have to somehow plot the entire thing in your mind so you don't get trapped in a corner or forget a section you can't go back to. I used to try doing this when I was a teen and failed miserably, so I have a very tiny understanding of what talent it takes to create these, and I'm absolutely blown away at not only the skill but the planning it must take. Very cool!
Thanks Pam. As long as you lay it out so that everything is connected, what I do, is just retrace over lines so I don't get trapped in a corner. The hard part is following the original line without widening it. Whenever I do a portrait in pencil or Etch-A-Sketch, although unconventional, I start at an eye. I use the eyes as the anchor point for everything, and look to see how they relate to the other features. It's a kind of mathy approach. You can see time-lapse videos of my etches on Instagram, and examples of the other mediums I use, like bleach, digital and pyrography on my webside . Both are linked at the top.
Load More Replies...This just made it to the front page of boingboing today!!!