Kyle Bean’s Life-Like Portraits are Made Entirely Out of Pencil Shavings

Illustrator <a href="http://www.kylebean.co.uk">Kyle Bean</a> has created an <a href="http://www.kylebean.co.uk/portfolio/#pencilshavingportraits">unusual series of portraits</a> by setting down his pencil and using solely his pencil shavings. Collecting the discarded remnants of a colored pencil, Bean skillfully arranges the debris to reflect <a href="http://inhabitat.com/guerilla-street-art-amazing-scratched-building-portraits/">variations of tone</a>, and even specific facial details, in these amazing and very life-like portraits.

Each portrait is formed using a different pencil crayon, using one single color for a simple effect.

The portraits depict subtle impressions of each person with the layered textural shavings.

An original use for an otherwise redundant material, Bean shows us how great artwork can be formed from even the most unusual waste!

Created for Wallpaper’s ‘Handmade' issue, these fun portraits are a depict the faces of the contributors to the edition.

This is not the first time the Brighton-based artist has created fun and inspired work with waste materials, Bean’s chicken made from eggshells is a great response to the time-old ‘chicken vs. egg’ debate.

His portfolio also explores an environmental slant, like this amazing model town in the shape of an airplane for an airport town feature.