This Sand Artist Makes Incredibly Lifelike Sculptures That Many People Mistake For Real

There are many talented artists throughout the world that express themselves via a multitude of mediums, but none compare to this! Andoni Bastarrika, a multi-talented multimedia artist from Spain's Basque Country, likes building sand sculptures of animals on the beach. Because they're so detailed, you'd think these incredible creations were the real deal. Even the most elaborate sandcastle pales in comparison to these amazing pieces of art.

If you have artistic skill, whether it is painting or sculpture, the means to reach the general audience and express a message as well as your enthusiasm, are easily discovered. Andoni Bastarrika has discovered a method to express himself via hyperrealistic sand sculptures depicting a wide range of creatures. Each of us has undoubtedly attempted to build sandcastles as children, with varying degrees of success; nevertheless, what Andoni builds goes well beyond simple childlike entertainment. His lifelike sculptures astonished beachgoers and delighted youngsters all around the world. Andoni has created a reputation for himself across the world as a result of his exceptional abilities.

Image credits: Instagram / Andoni Bastarrika

His foray into the sand began in 2010 while he was on vacation with his children at the beach. To delight the girls, Andoni made a sand sculpture of the Little Mermaid - hardly an artistic success in terms of technique but a promising start that allowed him to become acquainted with the “fluidity of his work. Hands.” In reality, the artist said that his hands already knew what to accomplish.

Image credits: Instagram / Andoni Bastarrika

Andoni happened across this creative talent by happenstance and has been honing it ever since.

Image credits: Instagram / Andoni Bastarrika

Andoni mostly works with his hands but he does use brushes and toothpicks in his work, especially for the completion of more fine details. His life-size sculptures are mostly made of sand although he occasionally incorporates external components from nature; for example, in his iconic sculpture of the "Bull" he utilized items to mimic the animal's horns and hooves.

Image credits: Instagram / Andoni Bastarrika

The sculptures require a certain amount of humidity to be completed. When you make a sculpture, numerous sand particles fall into place adhering to one another with wetness. After completion, the work reverts to its natural state being devoured by the wind and waves.

Image credits: Instagram / Andoni Bastarrika

The majority of his paintings are real homages to nature. If you want to learn more, go to his Instagram site where he has photographs of some of his most amazing sand sculptures.