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Innovative artwork that blends photography, pencil drawings, “imagination and reality” is wowing art aficionados both online and offline.

Remarkably, Ben Heine was inspired to create the distinctive pieces - known by the collective title of ‘Pencil vs Camera’ - while writing a letter.

(Image: Ben Heine)

(Image: Ben Heine)

Currently exhibiting his work at The Art Movement Gallery in London until June 17, Ben is quoted as explaining: “Reading my letter before putting it in the envelope, I saw in transparency the television behind the paper.

“I then realized it would be great to make something similar in a single image showing two different actions.

“I went outside and drew 'Pencil Vs Camera 1' which is very simple and shows two chairs with a small table.

“About a quarter of the scene is represented on the paper, the other three quarters happens on the photo.”

(Image: Ben Heine) (Image: Ben Heine) (Image: Ben Heine)

The visual artist grew up in Abidjan in the Ivory Coast and moved with his family to Belgium aged 7 following which – according to the biography on his website - he “became a troubled and demanding child”.

A few years later, that energy was directed into a new-found passion for graphics and art – the foundation for his current work.

(Image: Ben Heine) (Image: Ben Heine) (Image: Ben Heine)

Becoming interested in photography while studying journalism at university in Brussels, Ben maintains that the stories that his pieces illustrate are intended to enjoyed rather than pondered over by chin strokers.

He says: “I just make art for people. I want them to dream and forget their daily troubles.

“I want to convey a poetic and philosophical meaning into my pictures.

“Each new creation should tell a story and generate an intense emotion, like a poem, like a melody.”

(Image: Ben Heine) (Image: Ben Heine) (Image: Ben Heine)

Which one is your favourite? Leave your comments about these terrific pics in the the box below.

And for more pictures that deserve more than a second glance, check out these superb hyper-real pencil drawings that look just like photos.

Click here for more details on Ben’s London exhibition.

(Image: Ben Heine)

(Image: Ben Heine)

(Image: Ben Heine)

(Image: Ben Heine)

(Image: Ben Heine)

(Image: Ben Heine)

(Image: Ben Heine)

(Image: Ben Heine)

(Image: Ben Heine)

See more pencil drawings