Etch-a-Sketch gets a Royal portrait....

In lines to the throne: Artist takes 80 hours to create Prince William and Kate Middleton... on an Etch A Sketch

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Last updated at 7:12 PM on 20th April 2011

Their faces have been captured on mugs, plates, tea towels - and even in Lego - now it's the turn of an Etch A Sketch whizz to pay his tribute to Prince William and Kate Middleton.

The portrait was created by artist George Vlosich, using the retro toy which originates from the late 1950s.

The likeness took 80 hours to draw with two dials on a plastic frame – all using one unbroken black line.

In line to the throne: The Etch-A-Sketch image of Prince William and Kate Middleton

Twisting the knobs moves a stylus that removes aluminum powder from the back of the screen, leaving a black line.

Mr Vlosich, from Ohio, created the image especially for an art gallery show to celebrate the Royal wedding.

Capturing Kate: Miss Middleton's profile is outlined on the screen

He has also produced Etch A Sketch portraits of Barack Obama, Will Smith, Tiger Woods, Muhammad Ali and The Beatles.

The 30-year-old, who has been using the toy since the age of ten, said: ‘Each is an original work of art that takes 70-80 hours to create.

‘Once finished, the piece is then preserved to stand the test of time by removing the powder from the Etch A Sketch.' 

Your Royal likeness: Each drawing takes around 80 hours to create

The face of newly sworn-in American President Barack Obama was also captured on the Etch A Sketch.

‘Every creation is uniquely different and cannot be duplicated. And people still say ''No, that can’t be real. You can’t do that with an Etch A Sketch,''' Mr Vlosich said.

The artist has Etch A Sketched many of the world's greatest athletes and celebrities and his work has been described as 'the one continuous line that continues to amaze the world'.

Artistic endeavours: The portrait of Barack Obama took 80 hours to produce

Race for the White House: Obama and his former Republican rival John McCain

He is proud to have paved the way for others to follow in his footsteps, but what continues to set George apart is his amazing story, his incredibly detailed etches, his worldwide publicity and his uncompromising passion to take his Etches to places no one ever thought possible.

He said: 'I've been drawing since I was two years old, but the real magic on the Etch A Sketch started in 1989 on our family trip to Washington D.C. 

Golf legend Tiger Woods has also received the Etch A Sketch treatment

The Fab Four: Vlosich's portrait of The Beatles

'Before we left, we stopped over my grandparents' house to say goodbye. My mom pulled out her old 1960's Etch A Sketch so my brother and I would have something to play with in the car. I etched a picture of the U.S. Capitol. 

'When I was finished, my mom and dad were amazed! My dad saw it and immediately stopped at a gas station to take a picture of my creation before I erased it.

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Artist George Vlosich

'I could have never imagined that after standing outside the gates of the White House, my artwork on an Etch a Sketch would some day get me invited into the Oval Office.'

He continued: 'Around the age of ten, I was doing simple things on the Etch - Batman, Spiderman, California Raisins, etc. I was drawing and etching anything around me that I had interest in. 

'I also started combining sports and Etch Art - two of my favorite things. I can't really explain it - drawing on the Etch just came naturally to me. 

'The Etch A Sketch became a new way for me to express my artistic talents. It was a new challenge - and I just wanted to see how good I could get. 

'The more I Etched the better I got at drawing, and the more I drew the better I Etched.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1378914/In-line-throne-Artists-impression-Prince-William-Kate-Middleton--using-Etch-A-Sketch.html#ixzz1K5ZXklTW