Kyle Cobban's Surreal Drawings Merge Digital and Handmade Techniques

Chicago-based artist Kyle Cobban creates detailed graphite drawings from digital collages, blending fragments of human figures, homes, and landscapes into surreal compositions. His work was featured in The Art of the Game exhibition during the 2022 Bulls Fest at Chicago's United Center. Cobban's process involves manipulating found photographs in Photoshop to create references, which he then translates into pencil drawings that unify disparate elements. He values the physicality of drawing, having returned to pencil and paper after years of digital art creation. Cobban recently collaborated with artist Won Kim on a mixed-media piece combining drawing with acrylic and spray paint. He typically works on small-scale pieces, ranging from 4x3 inches to 5x7 inches, appreciating their portability. Previously an art teacher and now a graphic designer, Cobban maintains art as a personal passion rather than a career. His work explores themes of memory and anonymity through found imagery.