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Stefan Pabst is a professional artist that lives in Germany. He wants to inspire people through his art and videos while showing the magic of painting. On his YouTube channel, he creates helpful tutorials that explain how he creates his unique artworks and shows you that you can do it too.

He does many types of cool drawings, but one that stands out the most is the 3D realistic art he makes. Thee illusion drawings are the most popular among his work and look absolutely incredible.

Stefan Pabst uses pencils, oils, and pens to create his 3D art and draws them on simple pieces of paper or even cardboard. His optical illusions depict animals, everyday objects, pop culture characters, celebrities, and many other things. Hopefully, you will enjoy the 3D drawings he creates.

More info: Instagram | Facebook | portrait-gemalt-nach-foto.de | youtube.com

#1

Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

3dpainterpabst Report

Cip IESAN
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's so good, I still don't know which part of the photo is the drawing!

Bevie
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHAT?!!!!!! That is amazing!!

Tara
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It seems you could reach right out and pet him.

Frank Discussion
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is that poop to the right of the cardboard?

Melissa Dowling
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's all a drawing, from the dog, the cardboard it's lying on, to all the trinkets in the fore/background. It's an amazing piece!

Dale Overturf
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No it’s not, just the dog on cardboard. Watch the YouTube vid.

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    #2

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Steve Barker
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The drawing is very elongated to give the appearance of depth. If you rotate it from this exact angle it stretches out and becomes distorted almost beyond recognition. Truly amazing tromp de l'oeil. It's basically forced perspective. Still amazingly difficult to master. Lots and lots of practice and hard work.

    Tara
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This whole thing? How is this possible??

    Meagan Loe
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The marble slab is a drawing! Genius at work.

    Layla Corman
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is so cool! I don't get how the top part (the handle) is drawn though. There isn't any paper under there! Help- my brain can't comprehend!!

    Dale Overturf
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    After the drawing is finished he cuts for some of the paper and turns it to give the depth illusion. Watch the vids on YouTube, they’re are amazing.

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    Tammy Ralph
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm confused, the bits that are above the paper are they drawn on extra bits of paper?

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    His art creates the illusion of realism like the picture is 'jumping out' of the paper. This technique is complicated and is hard to master, but this artist does it almost perfectly. He tricks the viewer into believing that the object is 3D when actually it's a drawing on a flat surface. Stefan paints full-time and works in his studio daily.

    #3

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    7ML3
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Whoops, he spilled some water on the paper! Quick, grab a towel!

    Rory Ell
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    extra points for the droplet's shadow

    HorrorWeirdo
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oooh looks like I could hold it or something

    Frank Discussion
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Incredible...although the thumbnail is somewhat disturbing. :)

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    #4

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Malia Jeffers
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I kind of want to push it over. Is it just me?

    elfin
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I dunno. Are you the only cat around?

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    Mooncut the wolf 🐺
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The leaning tower of paper. Wait that's a terrible pun sorry everyone 😅

    Joycez Zhuang
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just reminds me of M.C Escher ...........woOW...........

    Jo Choto
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    HOW? That's just too good.

    elfin
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If it's so realistic then why isn't it leaning?

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    On his channel, Stefan does many other things. He creates time-lapses of his 3D drawings and other paintings, he does tutorials with pencils, oil paints to teach his viewers how to draw and also films speed painting videos. He shows you how you can bring portraits to life, starting from a blank piece of paper and ending up with a masterpiece. Stefan also shares some tips and tricks he has learned over the years he's been creating art.

    #5

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Tara
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “You’ve got a friend drawing me...”

    Dakota Dawson
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OH MY GOD IMAGINE WAKING UP TO THIS IN THE MORNING

    Emma Veil
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want to draw like that!!😂

    Marlene Ricker
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love this one. I'd hang it on my wall in a minute!!

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    #6

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Jo Choto
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even though my brain knows what has actually been done, my eyes still tell me there's an A-shaped hole dug out of the notebook.

    Alex
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The physical representation of an A-hole

    HorrorWeirdo
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’ve always dreamed of drawing like this...

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    The German artist was actually born in Russia but moved to live in Germany. Stefan began drawing at the age of five. On his website, he says, "I received portrait requests from my classmates who were impressed with my work". He mentions that he became a full-time artist after he drew a portrait of a friend, now he receives requests from actors, singers, sports stars and even politicians.

    #7

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    #8

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Reagan James
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow. It’s so 3-D! I wish I had the talent to do that! That would be so cool, and I would draw something like every day! So cool!

    Nicominde
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just practice! If you dedicate time and effort you can do it!

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    Steve du Preez
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have difficu;ty to understand the part of the drawing that is off the paper.

    Frank Discussion
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    how is the top half of the fish beyond the edge of the paper? Is it pasted onto the white paper...or is the entire image the painting?

    Bevie
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Noooooo!!!!!! That is off the charts!

    Tara
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is insanely cool.

    Robin Linse
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder how long it took him!

    Stefan wants to teach younger artists what he has learned over the many years of drawing, he wants to inspire them to not give up their passion and create amazing art. That's why he created his YouTube channel and that's why he shares many of his techniques and professional secrets with others.

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    #10

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Bruce Robb
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So on the objects that seem to be beyond the paper: he must be drawing on the surface of the table. (Or he's cut around the edge of the drawing.)

    juice
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ok, i think what he does is cuts a bigger piece of paper into an 8.5x11 piece, but with a part sticking out. you can see it on the cardboard dog higher up

    Loraine D.G. MacGinness
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No - it's sticking out further than the paper !!

    Rod Krueger
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Man I love this stuff!! Totally unbelievable!! 1000000000☆s

    Patrick O'Brien
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These painting are a perfect example of trompe l'oeil: the illusion of a three dimensional object on a flat surface. This artist has mastered it and presents the effect in a very interesting way. Notice how the effect is enhanced by the presence of linear objects within the picture: the above picture with the pencil and especially the ruler, which draws the viewer's eye into the picture. Such a technique creates the illusion of distance within a finite space and, again, contributes to the overall effect. Juxtaposition of dissimilar shaped objects does the same thing.

    #11

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    HorrorWeirdo
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awww, I used to have a toy which looked like that butterfly!

    Marlene Ricker
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In love butterflies and i LOVE this picture!

    Tara
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fly away little butterfly!

    Robin Linse
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am confused now. The picture says, "by Stefan Pabst", but it is signed P.S.

    #12

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Phillipa Holt
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow his drawings are so life like and perfect the Rocks pic is perfect x

    Sadie Shapiro
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You know your art is good when people can instantly identify who it is

    prevent the toast
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i don't understand... its just a picture of a stone... is there a joke here or something?

    Ian Bodey
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Rock steady hands.......✍️✍️✍️

    aussie snowdropper
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I bet the Rock will offer him money for it !!!!

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    #13

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Mooncut the wolf 🐺
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why do I feel like that hole is going to eat that pencil

    TheBlackPanda
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wanna run my fingertips along the circumference of the circles

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    #14

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Marlene Ricker
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not creepy...it's beautiful. Ladybugs are the pretty insects. As a kid, we were always looking for ladybugs to carry around on our sleeves.

    #15

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Mooncut the wolf 🐺
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it just me or does anyone else want to hold that octopus

    Tara
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes! Probably the only realistic octopus I want to hold.

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    #17

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Mooncut the wolf 🐺
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *Smashes through wall* "Did you know, I AM YOUR FATHER"

    Malia Jeffers
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Commence heavy breathing then “I AM YOUR FATHER.”

    HorrorWeirdo
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey your comment was downvoted (for no reason!) so I upvoted it. There’s nothing wrong with this, peeps! Also, it’s very similar to the one at the top. And this comment was posted FIRST.

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    Jennifer Sacrison
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The greatest villain of all time is incredible!!! 🖤🖤

    Robin Linse
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Am I the only one thinking that it is going to eat his hand?

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    #18

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Mooncut the wolf 🐺
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    🎵🎶 "He's got the whole world, in his hands, he's got the whole wide world, in his hands..." 🎶🎵

    #19

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    RavenPuffPanda
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my father drew that once, but it took him a week and he had to watch the tutorial over and over again. But it was worth it.

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    #21

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    prevent the toast
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i wonder though, does it, perhaps, like... jazz?

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    #22

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    prevent the toast
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    thats how shadows work. he didn't paint it on, it just fell on the paper naturally.

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    Tara
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What’s this? A LEGO you could step on without immense pain?

    #24

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Sunzilla
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is the lavender painted too?

    Whawhawhatsis
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is either one real? Both? Neither? With this artist, you simply can't tell, he's so good!

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    #25

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

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    #26

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Emily
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I opened a notebook to this...

    Ildiko Okido
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well.... rather to one big spider than to a million little ones.

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    LPSDazzleQueen
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have arracknophobia, so if I ever saw this, you better believe your windows are going to shatter.

    Incognito
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *places picture in sister's bedroom* BWAHAHAHA

    Jo Choto
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    His name is Fluffy and I want to cuddle him.

    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is great. Tarantulas are cool.

    Bevie
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amazing at it is I’d still be looking for my flame thrower! :)

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    #27

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Ri Mi
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are all single perspective renderings. Unfortunately, the cannot be hung on the wall, or even observed from anything other than the one perspective that yields the 3d effect. Great for the internet, but to the great chagrin of this otherwise enormously talented artist, he - like his subjects - is trapped in photography.

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    #30

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    #31

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Valinka
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He draws the glass on a paper, then cuts it, and replaces it on the white paper square ;)

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    Debby Hartinger
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is great and I know this is picky, but I think I'd like them more without the hands.

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    #32

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Here's another tarantula. I would love to pet it.

    Melani Sleder
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Jo Choto
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is Cuddles. He and Fluffy and I are going to nestle up together.

    #33

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    HorrorWeirdo
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Excuse me for asking... but, what is that? It’s amazingly drawn (I don’t get which one is real and which one is drawn) but I don’t get what the center object is.

    420 Drummer
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think it could be a socket wrench, but it’s probably something else

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    •_•
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    The blue handle thingy is the center object, it’s the only thing drawn. (I think)

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    #39

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Chris DiFonso
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How in the world does he make these? Look impossible

    #40

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

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    #42

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report

    Tara
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A needle I can get behind.

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    #48

    Meet Stefan Pabst's Incredibly Realistic 3D Drawings

    3dpainterpabst Report