If you're wondering how Kramer manages to get his work so precise and so realistic that you know what the items feel like, the first thing is dedication. Kramer spends quite a bit of time on these, as you can imagine — so much, in fact, that he admits to being a little tired of looking at a painting by the time it's complete.
To create his images, he first stages them in real life. "I work pretty closely from photographs. I usually start with an idea, gather props, and set up a scene, then take numerous photos," he says.
For the more surreal images, digital manipulation lends a hand as well. "I use Photoshop," he continues, "to edit imagery and work out a composition, so most of my creative decisions are done before I start painting.
Lifting the Shroud

Lifting the Shroud" width="680">
Patrick Kramer



Living on the Edge

Living on the Edge" width="680">
Patrick Kramer



Crystal Light

Crystal Light" width="680">
Patrick Kramer



As for the actual process, Kramer's is very traditional, using layers and glazes of oil paints to create the image. He explains, "I work in oil paint, slowly building up the painting in thin layers, adding detail and refining the image as the painting progresses. A small, simple piece might only take me a week, while a large, more complicated painting can take as long as six weeks."
Many photorealist painters can spend months on their paintings, but Kramer's works tend to be on the smaller side, with the largest pieces being only about 36 inches. This allows him to produce many pieces while continually harnessing his skills.
Sehnsucht

Sehnsucht" width="680">
Patrick Kramer



Departing

Departing" width="680">
Patrick Kramer



Studio B

Studio B" width="680">
Patrick Kramer



As with any art form, Kramer's inspirations and techniques are constantly growing and evolving. For him, the challenge is to create these photorealistic images without letting them feel static or old-fashioned. "I'm hoping to create pieces that are unique and creative, technically skilled, but not boring or stuck in the past," he says.
But he also states that he lets his work evolve naturally, taking it one painting at a time and exploring new things with each. "We'll see where I end up," he says.
Blossom II

Blossom II" width="680">
Patrick Kramer



(via Twisted Sifter, Wall Hop)
You can see more of Kramer's work on his website, as well as on Instagram, Tumblr and Facebook. Be sure to check out his pencil drawings, too! You can also see more in one of our previous articles about Kramer's work.