I’m sure most of us heard of these memorable saying that goes like "A good sketch is better than a long speech" or "A picture is worth a thousand words". Sometimes, even the most complicated issue and matter can be simplified and expressed over a single image. That’s just how incredible images are; but today I want to show you something different, a hybrid of both.

Here’s a showcase of a very unique approach to portrait illustrations. These images below are mixtures of both images and typography, where the latter is used to shape the portraits while the words within have messages to deliver. It is just amazing how manipulation of font types, sizes and keywords can form a great portrait artwork with inner meaning. Full list after jump.

Burdened Barrack Obama by Dylanroscover

Self Portrait by Saluum

Mother Teresa by Dencii

Mahatma Gandhi by Dencii

John Lennon by Dencii

Martin Luther King, Jr by Dencii

Self Portrait by Stacy Benson

Self Portrait by Stacey Grove

"Screaming" by Goblina

Self Portrait by Vic198x

Self Portrait by Le0arts

Mos Def a.k.a Dante Terrell Smith-Bey by DilsJ

Lady Gaga by Skye Shettle

Scott Weiland by CaliburlessSoul

Erik Spiekermann by Steve Butabi

Nelly Furtado by Steve Butabi

Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails by Maxdoming

Bono of U2 by CaliburlessSoul

Self Portrait by Laemmen

Self Portrait by Hworangi107

Self Portrait by Fostic-Popcorn

Self Portrait by EclecticPhoenix

E.B. Portrait by Akeiron

Morgan Freeman by Straye-Close

Marilyn Manson by CaliburlessSoul

Thom Yorke by tbwachiat

Lil Wayne by tbwachiat

humans by Miss-Dee