# Mixed Media Childlike Drawings Playing with Pencil Shavings by Marta Altes is Full of Texture By Meghan Young | Published 2012-10-05 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playing-with-pencil-shavings References: [mymodernmet](http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/marta-altes-pencil-shaving-drawings) & [martaltes](http://www.martaltes.com/Playing-with-pencil-shavings) There is a childlike quality to the Playing with Pencil Shavings series that draws from the materials used. In place of sophisticated paints, colorful crayons or serious charcoal, this art series revolves around strategically placed [pencil shavings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tuff-pencil-cabinet) and [simple illustrations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joyful-outlines) that flesh them out. It is as though the series embraces the youthful inclination behind the materials of choice. The Playing with Pencil Shavings series was created by artist Marta Altés, who studied [Children's book Illustration](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ooly) at the Cambridge School of Art. This background has clearly influenced her current work. Altes reveals, "I always try to have a positive and funny vision about life and to get a smile from who is looking at my drawings or reading my stories—that is what I like most about illustration." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 63% | Activity: 35% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Youth](https://www.trendhunter.com/youth) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Mixed-media Art:** Incorporating unconventional and resourceful materials in art creates new possibilities for artistic expression and repurposing. - **Childlike Illustration:** Emulating the simplicity and whimsy of children's artwork in professional creations can evoke nostalgia and appeal to a broader audience. - **Humorous Illustration:** Adding humor to illustrations can create a positive emotional response from viewers and make them more memorable. ### Who This Affects Most - **Publishing:** Publishers can leverage mixed-media and childlike illustration trends to produce more unique and captivating children's books. - **Advertising:** Humorous illustrations can be incorporated into campaigns to make them more memorable and shareable, setting them apart from competitors. - **Art and Design:** Mixed-media techniques and childlike illustration can be used to create unique pieces of art that are visually and emotionally appealing. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Imaginative Pared-Back Art Supplies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woset.md) - [Textured Pine Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crayon-pine.md) - [Sculptural Writing Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/experimental-pencils.md) - [Art Technique Activities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multiactivities-scratch-art.md) - [Vibrantly Colorful Dynamic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kayla-rumpp.md) - [Whimsical Childlike Furniture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-eternal-child.md) - [Stone-Grip Conical Pencils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aluminum-sphere.md) - [Bean-Shaped Vibrant Chalks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bean-chalk.md) - [Transformative AI Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drawings-alive.md)