15-Year-Old Artist Creates Incredible Animal Drawings From Memory

Animal Drawings by Child Prodigy Dušan Krtolica

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While some artists are trained in their crafts, others seem to be born with an innate talent and creative drive. At two-years-old, Serbian child prodigy Dušan Krtolica began drawing as soon as he was old enough to hold a pencil. When we first discovered Krtolica’s work four years ago, aged 11, he was already showing immense talent. Now at 15 years old, his drawing skills have evidently improved but his favorite subject remains the same—the animal kingdom.

Using pencils or black pens, Krtolica draws anatomically correct animals, flora, and fauna completely from memory. The child artist’s interest with the natural world began when his parents bought him a comprehensive encyclopedia of animals. After absorbing the images, and wealth of information, Krtolica announced “I'm going to draw all of them.” From elephants, to antelopes, Krtolica’s complex animal drawings detail every hair, tusk, and hoof of each creature.

However, Krtolica doesn’t limit himself to living creatures—like many children, he also has a special fascination with dinosaurs and other early mammals. He recently had the opportunity to write and illustrate his very own published encyclopedia teeming with prehistoric animals. Krtolica writes on Facebook, “Our planet is four and a half billion years old. If we were to condense the history of Earth into one year, the whole of human existence would fit into the last few minutes. But what kind of species would we be if we did not want to explore everything that happened millions of years ago, before we appeared?”

You can buy Krtolica’s Encyclopedia of Prehistoric Animals on Amazon and check out more of his drawings on his website.

At just 15-years-old, Serbian child prodigy Dušan Krtolica creates highly detailed animal drawings, showcasing a skill level that is far beyond his years.

Animal Drawings by Child Prodigy Dušan Krtolica

Animal Drawings by Child Prodigy Dušan Krtolica

Animal Drawings by Child Prodigy Dušan Krtolica

His anatomically correct drawings are rendered completely from memory.

Animal Drawings by Child Prodigy Dušan Krtolica

Animal Drawings by Child Prodigy Dušan Krtolica

Animal Drawings by Child Prodigy Dušan Krtolica

Animal Drawings by Child Prodigy Dušan Krtolica

Animal Drawings by Child Prodigy Dušan Krtolica

Animal Drawings by Child Prodigy Dušan Krtolica

Animal Drawings by Child Prodigy Dušan Krtolica

Animal Drawings by Child Prodigy Dušan Krtolica

Animal Drawings by Child Prodigy Dušan Krtolica

Animal Drawings by Child Prodigy Dušan Krtolica

Dušan Krtolica: Website | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Dušan Krtolica.

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Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart is a Staff Writer and Video Editor at My Modern Met. She earned a BA in Fashion and Textile Design at the University of Ulster in Belfast. Originally from Northern Ireland, she lived in Berlin for many years, where she fostered a career in the arts, dabbling in everything from illustration and animation to music and ceramics. She now calls Edinburgh home, where she continues to work as a writer, illustrator, and ceramicist. Her ceramics, often combined with hand-painted animation frames, capture playful scenes that celebrate freedom and movement, and blend her passion for art with storytelling. Her illustrations have been featured in The Berliner Magazine as well as other print magazines and a poetry book.
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