No, it's not an illustration but an actual 3D model. Gunpla builder Kyo used tricky paint techniques to achieve a 2D appearance on a 1/100-scale Barbatos Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans . When placed against a black background, the figure really just looks like a painting.

Then, when standing next to 3D objects, tlooks like a paper cutout. The illusion is really impressive.

Kyo has also transformed a 1/100-scale Gundam Vidal, Barbatos Lupus, and Barbatos Lupus Rex from the same series and Hyaku Shiki Revive from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam and Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ and RGM-89D Jegan D Type from Gundam Unicorn.

Kyo is selling the 1/100-scale Barbatos Lupus Rex on Yahoo! Auctions. The model has 57 bids so far and has reached 66,001 yen (US$590).

Gunpla builder and artist Mumumuno53 achieved a similar effect on a 1/100 scale RX-78-2 Gunpla in 2014.

[Via Hachima Kikō]