Skull Illusions by Tom French

Each time I post another item to our skull illusions section, I pledge myself it was the last time I did so (as they usually work in pretty much the same way). I fear if I over-bomb you with similar illusions you’ll soon grow tired of them, thus stop visiting this monumental website. However, running a decent “Skull Illusions” category wouldn’t be it without including this beautiful series of charcoal drawings by Tom French, an artist who has been greatly inspired by Charles Allan Gilbert’s optical illusion entitled All Is Vanity (1892). I promise,  there will be no more skull illusions for some time now ;D Be sure to check Tom’s homepage for more awesome pencil drawings!


Here are some notes about Tom French:

His works are predominantly figurative. He carefully combines detailed photorealism with strong elements of abstraction and surrealism, focusing on the reflection of the conscious and subconscious mind. French’s work often treads the fine line between the beautiful and unsettling, combining technically tight, classical charcoal drawings with carefree, loose and ostensibly unfinished abstract forms. By fusing the technical with lively abstraction French brings life and movement to his compositions. His work seamlessly merges the use of academic tradition with contemporary urban realism.




21 Replies to “Skull Illusions by Tom French”

  1. I’d like to see one where the eyes are not made up of the heads/hair of people, if their is one that is. great illusion though. Love the art.

  2. The pictures were beautiful until I saw the thumbnails, then they became awesome. The pictures were to large (or close) to see the actually effect. When I saw the thumbnails I would have at first thought that I was looking at some x-ray skull photos, if I had not known the truth.

    Don’t worry about me getting board, if I don’t like what you have up today, you will have something different tomorrow. You are on the top of my home page for good, or at least the foreseeable future.

  3. I really like the skull illusions, they have so much life inside of what it may look to be. You may have forgotten combined happiness and comfort in his work. Awsome!

  4. First comment weeeh. that realy looks good when you’re like 3 feet away, but then realy cool art. but I can see a figure of skull on the back ground so maybe that makes it a “skull” when ur 3feet away. nice

  5. I have a t-shirt with a similar illusion on it! The shirt is by “Idylle,” but I’m not sure who did the artwork for it. I’ve never seen another illusion like this before now. How nifty!
    [img]http://www.buckle.com/media/images/products/dt/44140IC176110B_AGB_dt_v1_m56577569832081372.jpg[/img]

    http://treshollybelle.blogspot.com/

  6. I’ve just discovered your work,(being a ‘Newbie’ on iGoogle apps.)
    I’ve also shared with friends, with excellent feedback :)
    …so next time you have any doubts, please remember your new bunch of fans!
    AMAZING ART….PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING <3 <3 <3 xxx

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *