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50 Pics Of Iconic Landmarks’ Illustrations Side By Side With Their Real-World Matches

Are you ready to join us on an adventure? Let's buckle up and transport ourselves to some of the most incredible locations around the world with Maxwell Tilse and his series of illustrations featuring famous landmarks. While Tilse has shared some of his previous work on Bored Panda, this time we've curated the best examples of his miniature drawings, photographed against their real-world twins as a backdrop.

We contacted Max and asked him some questions about his series of small cut-out illustrations showcasing the famous landmarks. The artist shared with us more about the inspiration behind this project: “I was inspired by the childlike collector inside of me. It’s a real joy arriving in a new destination and finding a little corner, famous or otherwise, to sit and sketch. These little landmarks are fairly quick and easy to create, so if I’ve only got a day or three to create a piece, drawing to this small scale is ideal.”

He also added: “The photograph I take with the drawing on location is as much of a souvenir as the artwork itself.”

More info: Instagram | Etsy | patreon.com

#1 Big Ben, London, England

Image credits: maxwellillustration

We were curious how the illustrator decides which landmarks to feature in his new paintings. Tilse said: “I love to capture buildings that are iconic, unique, or historically important. Architecture and history are real passions for me. What can each subject say about the place I’m visiting, or quite simply, is it enjoyable to draw?”

#2 St. Mary’s Basilica, Kraków, Poland

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#3 Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Image credits: maxwellillustration

Asked what challenges he encounters when creating his small-scale drawings, Maxwell answered: “Rain and intricate spires. I draw these mostly outside, on the spot. Keeping myself (and the paper) dry is a must. Then there’s the cutting out. Churches, mosques, and anything with a spire or minaret are really hard to keep straight and attached.”

#4 Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#5 Sydney Opera House, Australia

Image credits: maxwellillustration

Next, the artist shared with us more details about his creative process, specifically how he approaches capturing the perfect shots to complement his illustrations: “Knowing the movements of the sun is key! I try to draw a place that faces the sun, with my back behind it. So there’s a natural light when photographing the artwork. If the sun is in front of me, the drawing becomes dark and obscured. If the rain starts to drizzle I’ll take some snaps and finish the drawing in a nearby bar or cafe.”

#6 Cathedral Of Santa Maria Of Palma, Majorka, Spain

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#7 Temple Of Saturn, Rome, Italy

Image credits: maxwellillustration

Lastly, the illustrator shared with us his creative plans for the future: “I’ve had the privilege of working with airlines and tourism agencies. More work like that would be wonderful. The goal is to continue traveling and see as much of the world as possible. I’d love to make an illustrated book of my travels one day. Who knows where that’ll lead me? I love to draw and regardless of opportunity, I’ll always keep it up.”

#8 The Parthenon Of Athens, Greece

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#9 Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#10 Castle Sant’angelo, Rome, Italy

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#11 Statue Of Julius Caesar, Rome, Italy

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#12 The Church Of St. Andrew, Kraków, Poland

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#13 His Majesty's Theatre, London, England

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#14 Town Hall Tower, Kraków, Poland

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#15 Selimiye Mosque, Edirne Turkey

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#16 Jama El Fna, Marrakesh, Morocco

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#17 Nuruosmaniye Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#18 Fitzrovia, London, England

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#19 Berlin TV Tower, Germany

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#20 Pantheon, Rome, Italy

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#21 Gjirokaster Old Town, Albania

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#22 The Blue Posts, Berwick St. Soho, London, England

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#23 Soho Square, The Mysterious And Mythical Gardner’s Shed, London, England

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#24 The Korçë Cathedral, Korçë, Albania

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#25 The White Hart Pub, London, England

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#26 The White Tower Of Thessaloniki, Macedonia

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#27 Xiang Lin Si Temple. Melaka, Malaysia

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#28 Buzludzha Monument, Balkan Mountains

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#29 Fitzrovia, London, England

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#30 Sydney's Central Station, Australia

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#31 Fitzrovia, London, England

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#32 The Morgan Arms, London, England

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#33 Church Of St. Adalberto, Kraków, Poland

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#34 St Paul’s Cathedral, London, England

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#35 The Blind Beggar, London, England

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#36 The Mostar Sniper Tower, Bosna And Herzegovina

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#37 The Church Of St Nicholas, Kotor, Montenegro

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#38 St Matthew's Church, Dobrota, Montenegro

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#39 Fitzrovia, London, England

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#40 Statue Of A Man And Horse In Piazza Del Campidoglio Rome, Italy

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#41 St. Florian’s Gate, Kraków, Poland

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#42 Hadži-Kurtova Džamija, Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#43 Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#44 Spain

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#45 The Torre Del Oro, Seville, Spain

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#46 The Church Of The Holy Mother Of God, Plovdiv Old Town, Bulgaria

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#47 Fitzrovia, London, England

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#48 Fitzrovia, London, England

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#49 The Old George, London, England

Image credits: maxwellillustration

#50 Selimiye Mosque, Edirne, Turkey

Image credits: maxwellillustration

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