Hyperrealistic Pencil Drawings Explore Gender by Depicting Female Heads on Male Bodies

Hyperrealistic Pencil Drawings by Clio Newton

 

American artist Clio Newton explores gender and femininity in her series of hyperrealistic charcoal drawings called Venus. Inspired by the art of Renaissance masters like Michelangelo and Botticelli, she depicts an array of young subjects with female heads and male bodies. The seamless transition is intended to speak to the gender fluidity of this era.

Originally from the East Coast in the United States, Newton currently lives and works in Zürich, Switzerland. Her masterful drawing skills have been recognized in exhibitions across the US and Europe. In Venus, the artist applies her meticulous technique to blend the “gender composites” compellingly, usually merging the two identities around the neck or shoulders.

To emphasize the realism of these hand-drawn portraits, Newton bases all of the heads and bodies on real-life people. In this way, she is able to capture the depth of their personalities as they direct their gazes in the direction of the viewer,  as well as render all of the subtleties in their facial features, hair, and bodies. Their equal placement in reality and the imagination make these drawings captivating to behold.

You can keep up to date with Newton's latest art and exhibitions by following the artist on Instagram.

American artist Clio Newton explores femininity and gender in her series of charcoal drawings called Venus.

Hyperrealistic Pencil Drawings by Clio Newton

Her subjects feature female heads on male bodies.

Hyperrealistic Pencil Drawings by Clio Newton

These “gender composites” are inspired by the work of Renaissance artists like Botticelli and Michelangelo.

Hyperrealistic Pencil Drawings by Clio Newton

Hyperrealistic Pencil Drawings by Clio Newton

Hyperrealistic Pencil Drawings by Clio Newton Hyperrealistic Pencil Drawings by Clio Newton

Hyperrealistic Pencil Drawings by Clio Newton

Hyperrealistic Pencil Drawings by Clio Newton

Hyperrealistic Pencil Drawings by Clio Newton

Clio Newton: Website | Instagram 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Clio Newton.

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Margherita Cole

Margherita Cole is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and illustrator based in Southern California. She holds a BA in Art History with a minor in Studio Art from Wofford College, and an MA in Illustration: Authorial Practice from Falmouth University in the UK. She wrote and illustrated an instructional art book about how to draw cartoons titled 'Cartooning Made Easy: Circle, Triangle, Square' that was published by Walter Foster in 2022.
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