These hyper realistic drawings are so lifelike they could pass for photographs. The incredibly detailed works of art were created by self-taught artist Ivan Hoo, from Singapore, who earns a living from his realistic drawings and paintings. The 31-year-old takes up to three days to complete the impressive pieces, which include animal portraits and still life drawings of everyday items such as a Starbucks cup. The A3 sketches are completed using a range of soft pastel pencils and are drawn from still life, or a photograph taken by Ivan himself. Here: Ivan Hoos drawing of a pug. (Photo by Ivan Hoo/Caters News)

Fossil records indicate that this early lizard, Megalania (Megalania prisca or Varanus priscus), was a whopping seven metres in length. They were part of a megafaunal assemblage that inhabited southern Australia during the Pleistocene. The youngest fossil remains date to around 50,000 years ago. The first aboriginal settlers of Australia might have encountered them and been a factor in their extinction. (Photo by Sky TV/The Guardian)

Barbara Peacock is one of five recipients of the Getty Images annual Grants for Editorial Photography programme, which gives photojournalists an award of $10,000 as well as the agency’s support in pursuing projects of their choosing. American Bedroom is an ongoing series of portraits in which she explores the complexities and idiosyncrasies of contemporary American life. Here: Jessica, Milford, New Hampshire: “Sometimes life throws you in all sorts of directions. The most important part about life is to remember you are exactly where you need to be”. (Photo by Barbara Peacock/Recipient of the Getty Images Grant for Editorial Photography 2017)

“Romantic”. A brown bear in Martinselkonen, Finland. (Photo by Valtteri Mulkahainen/Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards)

Victor Castillo is a Chilean painter currently residing in Los Angeles, California. He was born in Santiago, Chile in 1973.

Yuri Gagarin does not always show up in full-scale astronautics. In this picture he smiles during his summer vacation in Sochi, Russia in 1961 with sunglasses and sunhat in the camera. (Photo by Imago/Eastnews)

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh practicing his bicycle polo technique, Windsor Great Park, Berkshire, 1964. (Photo by Norman Potter/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Victorious in 129 successive fights, including 40 as a pro, Ray Robinson falls through the ropes of a ring, under the impact of Jake LaMotta's fists on Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan on February 5, 1943. Robinson got back in the ring, but lost the decision in ten rounds. LaMotta pummelled him for the rest of the fight, winning via a unanimous decision, giving Robinson the first defeat of his career.They fought again just 21 days later when Robinson regained his mantle winning in another 10-round fight, Robinson won the close fight by a unanimous decision. LaMotta stated the bout was gifted to Robinson because he would be inducted into the army the next day. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)