Robert Leone (b. 1972, Queens, NY) is a self-taught artist known for his hyperrealistic pen & pencil drawings that vividly capture the essence of contemporary cultural icons. Whether portraying musicians, actors, or athletes, Leone brings these personalities to life with remarkable precision—revealing the emotion, intensity, and humanity behind each face.
Raised on Long Island, Leone first discovered his artistic gift while recovering from a childhood medical condition. Armed with nothing but a #2 pencil and a notebook, he spent countless hours sketching faces and figures from magazines, books, and posters—turning to art as both an escape and a catalyst for creative expression.
After earning a BA in Economics and Graphic Design from Binghamton University in 1994, Leone pursued a career in IT within New York’s financial sector. It was during this time, while living in Manhattan, that he encountered Chuck Close’s Big Self-Portrait at MoMA—a powerful moment that sparked a deep fascination with hyperrealism and planted the seed for a future return to art.
In 2014 Leone reignited his passion with Clarence, his first piece rendered in pen. He soon transitioned to graphite, drawn to its range, control, and precision which has since become his primary medium. His acclaimed work has been exhibited across the US and is recognized for its meticulous detail and striking lifelike quality. He now lives and works in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Artist Statement
When someone looks at one of my drawings often times their first impulse is to believe that it is a photograph. But upon closer examination one can see that there is a depth and resonance that cannot come from a photo.
My focus in creating a hyper-realistic drawing is not only to replicate the image as precisely as possible, but also to fully capture the character and expression of the subject, which in turn brings out life and emotion in the final artwork.
Drawing Process
Drawing for me has always been a bit of a meditative process. When I become immersed in my work, time ceases to exist and it can feel as though I’m working on auto-pilot. It’s in this state when I feel my best work is achieved. Music has always been a catalyst for this process so the two have always gone hand in hand for me.
Choosing the right image to work on is nearly as important as the final product. I’m often drawn to images that contain a high contrast of light and shadow, interesting props and accessories, and odd or unusual facial features. I also look for intricate and challenging things to draw like smoke, reflections, textures and fabrics.
When searching for the next photograph there is really no time limit. Sometimes it takes hours, other times days, but when the right picture emerges I feel instinctively compelled to draw it.
Printing Process
- All completed artwork is scanned using a VERSASCAN high-res flatbed scanner.
- Scanned artwork is then color corrected in Photoshop.
- Each print is output onto quality archive paper using an EPSON SureColor P8000 large-format inkjet printer.
- Prints are then signed and numbered for limited edition sets.
