You’d be forgiven for thinking the images on these pages are photographs. But look again—these are hyper-detailed oil paintings by Leicestershire realism artist Megan Hunter, whose work has stunned audiences online and in galleries alike.
Megan first gained widespread attention with ‘My Nana’—a 250-hour portrait of her 94-year-old grandmother, Marie. The video documenting the painting process quickly went viral, drawing praise for its incredible detail and emotional depth.
“She was actually the one who introduced me to art,” Megan explains. “I used to stay with her during the holidays and we’d go to a little watercolour group. I’d just sit with all the retired ladies and paint.”
Picture credit: Megan Hunter
Marie, a former dressmaker, took up painting in retirement. “She was very good,” Megan says. “That painting means so much to me. People really connected with it—it reminded them of their own grandparents. I think you can feel the love in it.”
Marie now has dementia, but she still appreciated the portrait.
“I had to keep reminding her that I was painting her, but she liked it,” Megan smiles.
Megan’s love for art started young – long before she ever picked up an oil brush. One moment stands out clearly in her memory, and in her mum’s.
“When I was about seven, I came home from school and we’d been asked to draw a room in our house,” she recalls. “I drew the kitchen completely in perspective – and my mum was just amazed. They hadn’t even taught us how to do that yet.”
It was the first sign of a natural gift – something that would go on to shape her life.
“I’ve always been arty, and my family are all quite creative,” Megan says. “But I’m the one who really stuck with it and worked at it.
Megan paints using oils on aluminium panels—an unconventional choice that allows for an ultra-smooth surface and precise control over texture.
“Because it’s smooth, I create all my own textures,” she explains. “With canvas, the weave comes through. But on
aluminium, every texture is mine—from the fabric of a jumper to the softness of skin. It helps the painting feel more real.”
While often compared to photographs, Megan’s paintings aren’t about exact replication. “There’s a style called
hyperrealism where they paint every pore—I don’t go that far,” she says. “I build up layers and glazes to give depth, but I still want it to feel painterly. It’s a realism that reflects how people see themselves.”
By day, Megan works as an Artist in Residence at Lutterworth High School, where she also supports the art department and runs portrait workshops for students.
“The students are a bit in awe,” she says. “Teachers show them my work and say, ‘Mrs Hunter painted this,’ and they don’t believe it!”
While she loves inspiring young artists, Megan’s dream is to one day paint full time. For now, her painting happens in the evenings and weekends in her home studio—often with an audiobook playing in the background.
“I mix all my paint before I start— sometimes five hours’ worth—so when I do get time to paint, I can just get stuck in,” she shares. “Once I’m in the studio, I get into the zone. Before I know it, it’s 11pm and I realise I should probably go to bed!”
Megan often uses herself as a subject. One striking self-portrait, The Art of Distraction, shows her with
headphones on, mug in hand, scrolling her phone—capturing the familiar feeling of being sidetracked.
“I do a lot of self-portraits—it’s easier to photograph myself doing what I want, and it’s interesting to document different stages of my life,” she says.
Another painting shows her lacing up her running shoes while her cat looks on.
Picture credit: Megan Hunter
“I set a goal to run 1,000 miles that year. It became such a big part of my life, I wanted to mark it,” she says. “My cat just sat on the shoe rack and stared at the camera—it worked perfectly.”
Megan’s skill has been recognised nationally—she appeared on Sky Portrait Artist of the Year, painting
strongman Eddie Hall.
“It was intense! He took the portrait home while it was still wet—I’ve never seen it since,” she laughs. “But the experience was great for exposure and networking.”
Back in the classroom, Megan’s influence is growing. She enters students into national competitions, including the Royal Academy’s online gallery, and helps them push their skills beyond the curriculum.
“I love seeing their flair and enthusiasm. I enjoy my job—but the dream would be to have more time in the studio,” she tells Pukaar. “Maybe part-time would be the best of both worlds.”
Megan is meticulous in her process. She grids her drawings with precision, mixes all her colours in advance, and often spends upwards of 90 hours on a single painting.
“I’m a perfectionist,” she says. “Even with every painting, I learn something new—how to show texture, how to use colour better. Each one makes the next even stronger.”
Picture credit: Megan Hunter
Whether she’s painting herself, a family member, or a commissioned portrait, her goal remains the same: to reflect both the physical presence and personality of her subject.
“I want the person to feel like they’re there—not just in likeness, but in spirit too,” she says.
I think you’ll all agree that she certainly achieves her goal!
To see more of Megan’s work, visit: www.meganhunter.co.uk
Picture credit: Megan Hunter
