Realism - watch and weep

Can you believe this extraordinary talent?!

How does one paint from small to much larger? How does one expand on detail to this extent? Is a magnifying glass used, or what?

 

This is not a photograph:

Queensland artist: Susanna Bertolacci

I think Susanna Bertolacci lives on the Gold Coast of Queensland?

I love her butterfly wings!

Here is her website.