Artist turns human body into canvas to create amazing parrot illusion
It took Johannes Stoetter weeks of painstaking planning to transform this model’s body into the image of a parrot (Picture: Johannes Stoetter / BNPS)

It looks like a simple painting of a parrot perched on a tree stump, but take a closer look and a whole different story begins to emerge.

The figure atop the log is in fact a female model who has posed for body-painting supremo Johannes Stoetter.

A former body-painting world champion, the Italian artist takes his inspiration from the natural world and has gained a reputation for creating eye-bending masterpieces.

His latest work is this intricate design that is so lifelike it is often mistaken for a real parrot.

BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Pic: JohannesStoetter/BNPS ***Please use full byline*** Johannes applies the bodypaint. Watch the birdie! This may look like a holiday snap of a tropical parrot perched on a tree - but a closer look reveals it is actually a cleverly painted person. The incredible artwork is the latest offering from Johannes Stoetter, a former world champion bodypainter. Johannes spent weeks painstakingly planning how he could transform a female model into a parrot. It then took him four hours to paint the model using special breathable paint then another hour to get the right photograph of her sat on a tree stump. The stunning creation sees the model's outstretched leg become the parrot's tail feathers, while her other leg becomes its wing. The head of the parrot was formed by wrapping one arm over her head. It is so lifelike that Johannes' friends often mistake the image for a photo of a real-life parrot.
The Italian artist uses breathable paints to create his masterpieces (Picture: JohannesStoetter / BNPS)

Johannes spent weeks painstakingly working out how he could transform the female model into the colourful bird and took a further four hours to paint her using breathable ink.

The model’s legs portray the bird’s wing and tail feathers while her arm wrapped around her neck forms the parrot’s head and beak.

‘I couldn’t imagine that there would be a way to earn money with body-painting,’ explained Stoetter, who has been creating body art since the year 2000.

‘But nevertheless I was totally convinced that I wanted to do it – I felt that it was my way.’