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It's known for its surfing and long, pristine beaches but tourists have been flocking to Matakana Island in New Zealand for a different reason lately: its artwork.

Sunbathers and surfers have been doing a double-take thanks to a series of impressive 3D drawings that have been appearing in the sand.

The temporary scenes are the creation of Jamie Harkins, Constanza Nightingale and David Rendu who make up 3DSD.

Optical illusion: A skater appears to jump over a terrifying hole in the ground that is in fact a drawing in the sand

In a spin: Skaters show off their skills on a second ramp on the beach

The trio draw the complex designs using just a stick and a selection of rakes.

Nightingale, from Chile, specialises in circular paintings covering themes such as 'space, the ocean, and the relationships humans have with nature'.

Rendu, from France, is an accomplished sculptor and explores the human form and ocean life.

Beachy head: Three faces appear to emerge from the sand. The artists use a stick and a selection of rakes to create the optical illusions

Shore thing: 3DSD say their work is 'ephemeral art where time, the communicative act, and directive intent are fundamental'

Meanwhile, Harkins creates colourful paintings, making use of contrast and light.

The New Zealander was inspired by 3D street art and decided to take the concept to the beach on the country's North Island.

Harkins says the practice requires few materials and has the added bonus of having very large natural 'canvases' close at hand.

The artists regularly venture down to the same beach between Mt Maunganui and Matakana Island to experiment in the sand.

Macabre moment: Tourists watch the trio draw a skull in the sand. The artists regularly venture down to the same beach between Mt Maunganui and Matakana Island to experiment in the sand

Blurring the lines: A speedboat appears to pull a man on water skis across the beach

Using a simple stick and a selection of rakes they can create textures, contrast and perspective to create an optical illusion.

Crowds often gather to watch the process and the group have recently started to make their work interactive by incorporating people into the scenes.

Designs have included skate ramps, circus scenes, surrealist landscapes - and even a toaster.

Beaten by the tide: The top of the trio's 'deconstructed pyramid' is washed away by the sea

The Italian job: The artists have even brought a bit of Rome to the beach by recreating the Pantheon in the sand

In one drawing, a staircase appears to climb out of the sand and continue into the sea while in another, a man appears to launch himself off a diving board into a small paddling pool below.

And the trio bring the sea to the beach by showing a speedboat pulling a man along the sand on waterskies while a woman 'fishes' from a pier nearby.

But the drawings are only temporary and disappear when the tide comes in.

3DSD say their work is 'ephemeral art where time, the communicative act, and directive intent are fundamental.'

Castles in the air: A fortress appears to float off into the sky

Pop-up art: Sunbathers balance on a piece of bread as it 'jumps' out of a toaster

The group's biography states: 'The artworks provide an acute awareness of time and acts as a metaphor for the brevity of life.

'As the tide rises and covers the work it is permanently erased from the beach making the art experience transitory unlike pictures hanging in a gallery for a period of time.

'The works impermanence is also symbolic of many other aspects of daily life.'

To see more of their artwork visit http://ift.tt/1ozRyTT

Making a splash: This diver won't have the watery landing he hopes for

Channel tunnel: A staircase appears to emerge out of the sand and exit into the sea