Age and experience don't always have everything to do with artistic skill. Take the case of Diego Fazio - a 23 year-old Italian artist. With only seven years of experience under his belt, Diego produces hyperrealistic pencil portraits of real people, capturing the details of their faces in a manner that seems not quite human. Despite the seeming impossibility, Fazio has made a career of producing such images.

As you can see by <a href="http://twistedsifter.com/2013/04/hyperrealistic-portraits-using-pencils-diegokoi/" target="_blank">these examples on Twisted Sifter</a>, the work done by Diego is nothing short of breathtaking, reproducing images in a manner that makes them virtually identical to a photograph. His process is intricately detailed, usually requiring him to spend over two hundred hours on a portrait! The end product, though, is worth the wait - each image is incredibly realistic, highlighting the lack of detail that is typically present in portraiture. Even a typically realistic portrait can look subpar when compared to one of his pieces, creating a high-water mark for the human hand's ability to replicate what the eye can see.

<a href="http://twistedsifter.com/2013/04/hyperrealistic-portraits-using-pencils-diegokoi/" target="_blank">When it comes to art that's this detailed</a>, is there really a difference between the pencil piece and photography? More to the point - is there a reason to draw by hand, when one can produce an identical image mechanically? If you believe in the importance of the artistic process, the answer should be a resounding "yes", but it certainly gives those with an eye towards the world of art a moment to stop and think about hyper-realism. As you progress with your own artistic endeavors, make sure that you embrace that which makes you unique - and like Diego, find a way to stand out.