‘Shadowology’ artist creates amazing and amusing, but seriously clever illustrations

When Belgian filmmaker and artist Vincent Bal noticed how the shadow of a teacup on his desk looked like a little elephant, the new art form of Shadowology was born.

Vincent Bal and Shadowology

Vincent Bal is a Belgian filmmaker and artist. He has made four feature films and several shorts. While he was working on a new script in May 2016, he suddenly noticed how the shadow of a teacup on his desk looked like a little elephant. He completed the image with a few lines, took a picture and shared it on instagram. The reactions were so positive that he challenged himself to make one of these ‘shadow doodles’ every day. He hasn’t stopped since.

The process was given the very scientifical name Shadowology. Since then his following on social media has exploded and you can buy signed prints and postcards on his Etsy webshop. A short film combining live action and the Shadowology technique called ‘Sea Shadow’ premiered in december 2020.

A first book was published in june 2017 by Lannoo publishing house (available on Amazon), a second book called ‘Shadow World’ was published in June 2021 with Omake Publishers in France. Vincent has taken part in group exhibitions in Taiwan and Paris. 

Follow Vincent Bal and his work on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter and on TikTok: @shadowology. Bal’s work can be purchased from his Etsy webshop. Below is a selection of 25 Shadowology artworks from Bal’s portfolio and a video of Bal at work.