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.”
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#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
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#45 The Torre Del Oro, Seville, Spain
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#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
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#49 The Old George, London, England
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#50 Selimiye Mosque, Edirne, Turkey
Image credits: maxwellillustration
