Artist Creates Intricate Drawings and Portraits Using His Oldschool Typewriter

James Cook found a novel use for his typewriter to illustrate the English countryside, and portraits of people.

| Jan 15, 2020 08:03 AM EST

Created: Jan 15, 2020 08:03 AM EST

Some of James Cook's artJames Cook/Instagram

If you happen to have an old typewriter lying around you may be able to become an alternative artist. If you take a page out of James Cook's book, a self-proclaimed typewriter artist, and architectural drawer, you may learn to do just that.

That's not to say that just anyone can do what Cook does.

What is typewriter art?

Upon close inspection, the drawings that Cook creates from his 71 inch Adler Tippa, and 56 inch Oliver Courier typewriters look as though they've been etched on paper with fine pencils.

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Typewriter Portrait of St. Paul's Cathedral, London. 1956 Oliver Courier. #artistsoninstagram #art_spotlight #typewriterpoetry #type #typewriter #art #vintage #typed #intricate #art_studio #artsy #typewriterart #architecture #london #stpauls #stpaulscathedral #arch_more #arch_daily #londonlandmarks #londonist #typewriters

A post shared by James Cook Art (@jamescookartwork) on Mar 10, 2019 at 9:14am PDT

Cook's latest project has been to depict the wintry Essex countryside, a county in the Southeast of England, through his drawings.

Incredibly, most of his creations are done through memory, as Cook mentioned it was too cold to stay outdoors for very long over the chilly December month.

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Typewriter Portrait of The Houses of Parliament. This was typed using my old Oliver Courier typewriter. It took 3 days (roughly 12 hours). Visit: www.jamescookartwork.com #housesofparliament #palaceofwestminster #pugin #charlesbarry #gothicarchitecture #neogothic #bigben #elizabethtower #westminster #london #londonart #type #typewriter #typewriterartist #typewriterart #ascii #artstagram #artstudent #arch_more #architecturestudents #archisketcher #art_spotlight #art #artstudio_post

A post shared by James Cook Art (@jamescookartwork) on Jul 13, 2019 at 11:17am PDT

Sitting outside over periods of three hours, Cook would begin his masterpieces, then he'd return to the coziness and the warmth of the indoors. From there Cook finished his drawings thanks to his earlier outdoor observations.

His drawings range from John Webb's Mill in Thaxted, to the Houses of Parliament in central London. Cook's also created some fascinating portraits with his typewriters, from the very recognizable Jeff Goldblum, to Tom Baker.

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Jeff Goldblum Typewriter Art. #jeffgoldblum #typewriter #typeface #artist #detail #mono #type #thor #ragnarok #thefly #indepenceday #fanart #artstudent #art_spotlight #art_collective #arty #typed #portrait #jeffgoldblum

A post shared by James Cook Art (@jamescookartwork) on Jun 4, 2018 at 7:00am PDT

Cook has clearly and sharply demonstrated his skills, which can be seen through his online website and Instagram accounts, as well as his YouTube page. The latter shows a series of images of how his drawings come to life. It appears that a lot of time, patience, and talent are required.