Surreal Graphite Realism by Melissa Cooke Benson
Published Nov 26, 2025
Minneapolis-based artist Melissa Cooke Benson is back on the grid with another mesmerizing series of hyperreal graphite drawings. We last featured her work back in 2015, and these new pieces continue to push the boundaries of what graphite on paper can do.
Working without pencils, Melissa crafts her images by dusting thin layers of graphite onto paper and shaping each form with a dry brush. Details emerge through careful erasing rather than traditional mark-making, giving the drawings a velvety softness free from the shine of heavy pencil strokes.
Her work has been highlighted in New American Painting, Drawing Magazine and other publications, and appears in collections including the Arkansas Art Center, the Museum of Wisconsin Art and the Minnesota Vikings U.S. Bank Stadium Art Collection.
You can explore more of her gorgeous graphite worlds on her website.
More articles
#want
These are affiliate links to Amazon and other partner brands. We may earn a small commission if you click the link and make a purchase.
There is no extra cost to you, so it’s just a nice way to help support the site.
Related
inspiration
Awesome products for creatives
These are affiliate links to Amazon and other partner brands. We may earn a small commission if you click the link and make a purchase.
There is no extra cost to you, so it’s just a nice way to help support the site.
Inspiration
in your inbox
Amazing art & design, never any spam.
We care about protecting your data. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for more.
- Advertising
- Architecture
- Art
- Branding
- Fashion & Beauty
- Gaming
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Industrial Design
- Interior Design
- Logo Design
- Packaging Design
- Photography
- Pop Culture
- Print Design
- Product Design
- Technology
- Typography
- UX & UI Design
- Vehicle Design
- Video & Motion
© 2025 Inspiration Grid, all rights reserved. Some of our posts may contain affiliate links to partner brands. We earn a small commission if you click the link and make a purchase. There is no extra cost to you, so it’s just a nice way to help support the site. All images, videos, and other content posted on the site is attributed to their creators and original sources. If you see something wrong here or you would like to have it removed, please contact us.