# Surreal Watercolor Drawings Daniel Mackie and His Lustrous Illustrations By Jessica Marcel | Published 2010-03-28 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daniel-mackie References: [coroflot](http://www.coroflot.com/public/image_file.asp?portfolio_id=3491723&individual_id=279991&s=0&v=3&a=4&t=0) & [danielmackie](http://www.danielmackie.co.uk/) London-based artist Daniel Mackie uses [pencil and watercolor in his illustrations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/devin-wilde) of individuals in often-unusual situations. All of Daniel Mackie's subjects appear [elongated](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/first-kiss-at-last-light), as though they were seen in the reflection of a funhouse mirror. Daniel Mackie uses everyday situations just as often as he uses imaginary scenes. One drawing shows children who appear to have just painted a wall with spray paint; another shows a giant man plucking sailboats out of a river. **Implications** - With so many different stresses in modern society, consumers are looking for a sense of relief from their products. Items that feature a [fantastical element](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tea-for-two-collection) appeal to shoppers who want to forget their responsibilities for a moment. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.0/10 - Popularity: 69% | Activity: 73% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Fantastical Products:** Develop products that offer a sense of relief and escapism from the everyday stresses of modern society. - **Whimsical Art:** Embrace the use of pencil and watercolor to create imaginative and surreal artworks. - **Reflection-based Distortion:** Explore the use of elongated and distorted imagery to create a sense of surrealism and reflection. ### Where This Applies - **Home Decor:** Incorporate fantastical and whimsical elements into home decor products to provide consumers with a sense of escapism and relief. - **Art and Illustration:** Encourage artists to experiment with pencil and watercolor techniques to create imaginative and surreal artworks. - **Visual Effects and Animation:** Utilize reflection-based distortion techniques in visual effects and animation to evoke a sense of surrealism and fantasy. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Realistic Sketch-Reflective Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drawing-series.md) - [Playful Doodle-Emblazoned Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sam-cox.md) - [Limited Humorous Art Prints](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/david-shrigley-1.md) - [Vibrantly Colorful Dynamic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kayla-rumpp.md) - [Otherwordly Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/william-monk.md) - [Statement Street Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1.md) - [Art Doodle-Collaborative Napkins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tissue-box-collection.md) - [Miniaturized Product Art Photographs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/small-muji.md) - [Paper-Made Mosaic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/real-life-architecture-exhibition.md)