When portraiture looks this realistic, it can be hard to accept that what you see is just paint on a canvas, or ink scratches on a page. Discover nine of the finest artists from around the world who are recreating humans in their art -- with strikingly lifelike results.

Gottfried Helnwein

Gottfried Helnwein frequently depicts children in his gigantic, mesmerizing portraits, along with "low culture" icons including Donald Duck, with the loss of childhood innocence as a reoccurring theme.

The Austrian artist doesn't shy away from controversial themes, but has been praised from his realistic depictions. In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook school shooting, Forbes magazine published an article titled "Why Every American Ought To See The Paintings Of Gottfried Helnwein."