Famous faces in a crowd: Intricate artworks see big screen stars recreated in paintings of dozens of tiny figures



At first glance these celebrity portraits appear to have been created from aerial photographs of dozens of people.

But a closer examination of this series, by Atlanta-based artist Craig Alan, reveals that the tiny figures were actually painted into place.

Mr Alan, 40, has created paintings of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Elvis Presley, as well as the Statue of Liberty, with his realist technique.



Small people, big star: This portrait of Marilyn Monroe by Atlanta-based artist Craig Alan may look like an aerial photo, but is actually created with dozens of tiny painted figures

High art: Audrey Hepburn is among the stars featured in the portraits, which can sell for up to $50,000

Crowd-puller: Even the Statue of Liberty has had the Craig Alan treatment, completing the series


'Portraits always came easily to me, so it was only natural that the two should be combined,' he said.

And the positive response to the works has been a thrill.

It’s rewarding for me as an artist to watch people’s reaction to my work and to see them get such enjoyment out of it,' he added.