Here's a collection of art for the DIGIT-AL age as these fascinating illusions of landmarks, places and even a banana are made using just a pair of hands. The quirky collection of images were created using hand models and body paint to create visions of a castle, church, and two footballers flying into a tackle. London based photographer Ray Massey KNUCKLED down to capture the images with each of the designs each taking a day to paint and shoot with the help of hand artist Annie Ralli. Together they made a FIST of also bringing to life a pen and pencil pot, a ribbon, mosque and cute wildlife adaptations of a daisy and a ladybird. Each image sees the hands and fingers carefully crossed, bent, or partially hidden to the millimetre to cleverly angle the palms and digits into the lifelike images. The intricate detail was then painted on the shapes and blended in to create the illusions, including one creation that sees a hand arch down to appear to become a banana skin. In others a sporting trophy is created by two joined hands bending at the knuckles and two hands are cleverly pushed together to form what appears to be a cosy bed. Ray said professional hand models had to be used for the shoot because fingers are often so unattractive to look at. He said: "Hands are always particularly difficult to shoot, they are not pretty items, they're basically very ugly. "The benefit of a good hand model is not just having good hands, it is also important to be able to pose your hands. "So we had to employ professional hand models. Our biggest concern was to use proper body painting materials, in order not to damage their skin. "Most of the images took four to six hours to paint, the rest of the day is spent capturing images and the hand painting artist adjusting elements accordingly.
A diving guide leaves a shark completely docile and balanced in the palm of his hand .
LUMINOUS green rocks could easily be a beach from Superman's homeland of Krypton .
BASKING in smug satisfaction, a confident squirrel gives a wink to the camera .
A small Indian monkey is seemingly gob-smacked after reading the latest stock market news .
STARING eagerly into the camera, this little toad is full of curiosity .
SAILING peacefully across a river in the early morning light, a fisherman in China keeps a 1000 year old tradition alive .
DASHING through the snow, this little stoat is on the lookout for a Christmas feast .
These adorable pictures show the moment two cuddly red panda cubs take their first look at the outside world and are weighed for the very first time .
A family of foster carers are facing bankruptcy and homelessness after they signed up to a Government scheme to renovate their house to be used for disabled children's short breaks .
LYING back in the snow, these two polar bears share a cuddle as they call time out on playtime .
SWIMMING next to 40 tonne whales, dare-devil divers take the plunge with these gentle giants of the sea .