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Devon Rodriguez, a New Yorker, connects with others in a simple and friendly manner by using his talent and free time. The artist is displaying his skills by drawing unsuspecting subway passengers in New York and then giving them the completed piece as a token of gratitude.

You can see the artist's previous works that have been shared on Bored Panda here.

More info: tiktok.com | Instagram | courses.devonrodriguezart.com

Here's a glimpse of how it all goes down in real-time

@devonrodriguezart

I don’t be knowin what to say tbh 🤣

♬ Remember - Acoustic / Sped Up - Becky Hill & Speed Radio

Riding the subway during the pandemic has been an exhausting experience for all. Limited service, essential social distancing, obligation to wear a mask, and a general sense of fear across the system were not helping folks to feel united. NYC artist Devon Rodriguez found a way to make circumstances not as uncomfortable for fellow travelers by sharing his talent with them in exchange for a smile.

It all began in 2010 as a means for the artist to fill up his portfolio to get into art school, but in 2021, it suddenly became a viral hit as hundreds of thousands of people were astonished by the skill and talent, as Devon recalls it: “I’ve been doing these sketches since 2010 but they really just started taking off online in the last five or six months,” Rodriguez says. “Six months ago, I only had about 30,000 followers on Instagram and now I have 1.6 million.”

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#5

This Guy Surprises New York Subway Passengers With His Hyper-Realistic Drawings

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harpling
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the window reflection.... do I see the outstretched legs of a naked person stretched out on the seat?

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Rodriguez also launched a TikTok account at the same time, which allowed him to reach a far broader following. Despite not having done much video material in the past, he began sharing short videos of himself producing his work, which quickly gained millions of views: “I started doing them as drawings instead of paintings since they were faster and every video I put up was reaching millions and going viral.”

#7

This Guy Surprises New York Subway Passengers With His Hyper-Realistic Drawings

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Marvelor
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always wonder what happens when the person gets off the train before he finishes the drawing 😅

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Though the subway looks a lot different nowadays, with empty carriages and cautious people keeping their distance, the artist is optimistic that New Yorkers' commutes will one day return to something that feels more normal: “I hope everything goes back. I didn’t think it would last this long,” he says. “But whether it does or doesn’t get back to normal, I’m still going to be doing this.”

#8

This Guy Surprises New York Subway Passengers With His Hyper-Realistic Drawings

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Vic Twyn
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The talent is extraordinary. How fast do they create these!!? I can't do a stick figure in less than 10 minutes!!!!

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This Guy Surprises New York Subway Passengers With His Hyper-Realistic Drawings

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Micah Chips 🇺🇦
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

holy cheese rolls she's pretty (obviously all these people are beautiful, and the drawings, but you know.)

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This Guy Surprises New York Subway Passengers With His Hyper-Realistic Drawings

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Jannet6070
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am always impressed by artistic talents. Even more so by one that can do this quality of work on a moving train. Beautiful!!!

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This Guy Surprises New York Subway Passengers With His Hyper-Realistic Drawings

@devonrodriguezart Report

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Pyewacket
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The term photorealistic is used here I presume. Its a very accurate description, this guys drawings must be made available to all !! This is true talent.

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This Guy Surprises New York Subway Passengers With His Hyper-Realistic Drawings

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Kris Fristo
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He even got the weird shaped neck for the shirt perfectly :OOOO

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This Guy Surprises New York Subway Passengers With His Hyper-Realistic Drawings

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Strawberry Pizza
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is great but something about the hard line of the mask against her face seems off to me.

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