# Hyper-Detailed Pencil Portraits Artist Robert McNally Draws Realism with Basic Supplies By Jordan Sowunmi | Published 2011-06-14 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robert-mcnally References: [readplatform](http://readplatform.com/robert-mcnally/) & [robertmcnally](http://robertmcnally.co.uk/) Robert McNally is a 29-year-old Newcastle, England-based illustrator who began his art career six years ago, after completing a B.A. at the Camberwell College of Art. Robert McNally's art career took off almost immediately. Two years after his entree into the art world, Robert McNally landed his first [solo show](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paul-anthony-smith) at the One in the Other gallery in London, England. By 2008, he was named artist-in-residence at Popop Studios in Nassau, the Bahamas. Robert McNally is blessed with a detailed and original style. He creates massive (sometimes the length of an entire wall) detailed illustrations using a [tiny pencil](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/experimental-pencils). His drawings sometimes feature a strong element of complexity (a man in a tree house pulling strings), but to me, his best work lies in his detailed illustrations that tell a story -- his shot of a young man, seated in a messy bedroom staring longingly at a picture implies a strong feeling of heartbreak. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.3/10 - Popularity: 97% | Activity: 85% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Hyper-realistic Sketch Art:** Opportunity to disrupt traditional sketch art techniques by creating hyper-realistic sketches with basic supplies. - **Detailed Storytelling Illustrations:** Creating complex stories with detailed illustrations that can potentially disrupt traditional storytelling methods. - **Minimalistic Art Supplies:** Opportunity to disrupt traditional art supplies by demonstrating that hyper-realistic art can also be created with just a basic pencil. ### Who This Affects Most - **Art and Design:** The art industry can potentially benefit from this disruptive innovation by expanding their mediums and utilizing minimalistic art supplies. - **Publishing:** The publishing industry can potentially benefit from the trend of detailed storytelling illustrations by incorporating them into published books and magazines. - **Media and Entertainment:** The media and entertainment industry can potentially utilize hyper-realistic sketch art in film and television production design. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Stunning Origami Portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/origami-portaits.md) - [AI Line Drawing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pencilify-ai.md) - [Paper-Made Mosaic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/real-life-architecture-exhibition.md) - [Realistic Sketch-Reflective Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drawing-series.md) - [Robotic Portrait Sketches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pankraz-piktograph.md) - [Striking Urban Wildlife Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clare-allin.md) - [Otherwordly Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/william-monk.md) - [Art Doodle-Collaborative Napkins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tissue-box-collection.md) - [Retro Drawing-Inpsired Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/family-project.md)