The Remarkable Micro-Carvings by Salavat Fidai

Most of us use pencils to sketch or write. ✏

Salavat Fidai uses them to blow minds.

With a steady hand and a single scalpel, the Russian-American artist carves impossibly detailed sculptures from the fragile tips of graphite pencils, miniature masterpieces that could crumble with a sneeze.

From tiny castles to pop-culture icons, each work balances precision with playfulness. It’s art that lives on the edge, both literally and metaphorically.

The idea that something so ordinary can hold so much beauty feels like a quiet rebellion against throwaway culture.

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Moss and Fog sat down with Salavat to look closer at his work, and understand his intricate process.

Moss and Fog: How did your journey as an artist begin?

Salavat: My art career began in 2014 after being laid off from a corporate management job. Instead of returning to office life, I decided to follow my lifelong dream of becoming an artist. I began experimenting with different materials and techniques, creating tiny versions of famous paintings on matchboxes and even pumpkin seeds.

Moss and Fog: What drew you to working with pencil graphite?

Salavat: I stumbled upon pencil graphite one day and was fascinated by its potential. I loved the idea of turning something as ordinary as a pencil into something rare and intricate. Over the years, that curiosity evolved into my signature, carving detailed micro-sculptures on the tips of pencils.

Moss and Fog: Where do you find inspiration for your sculptures?

Salavat: I’m inspired by everything around me, from films and cartoons to pop culture, music, and art history. My followers often suggest creative ideas, too. Before I start carving, I visualize the entire process in my head from start to finish. If I can see it clearly in my mind, I know I can bring it to life in graphite.

Moss and Fog: Tell us about your process.

Salavat: I work with a simple craft knife, a magnifying glass, and a binocular microscope. The process is almost meditative, I have to be calm, balanced, and extremely focused. Sometimes I even hold my breath as the blade touches the graphite. It’s a delicate dance between patience and precision, creating a tiny universe at the tip of a pencil.

Fidai’s work reminds us that the scale of artwork doesn’t define impact. Indeed, the smallest materials can hold entire whole worlds if we take the time to look closely.

Salavat’s pencil sculptures not only are a technical achievement, but give us a new perspective about how tiny, intricate, and ultimately vast the world of art can be.

I use a single tool – a craft knife with interchangeable No. 11 blades. I also use a magnifying glass with a backlight and a binocular microscope for greater magnification.

More than just carvings, Salavat features sculptures and paintings as well.

See more of Salavat’s work on his website, and on Instagram.

Images © Copyright Salavat Fidai. Used with permission.