# Dark Eerie Illustrations These Ruben Ireland Prints are Definitely Worth a Second Look By Stephanie Anderson | Published 2011-03-26 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ruben-ireland-illustrations References: [diskursdisko.de](http://www.diskursdisko.de/2011/03/ruben-ireland/) & [rubenireland](http://www.rubenireland.co.uk/home.html) The British London-based graphic designer Ruben Ireland fuses [mixed media with traditional techniques](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1) and digital processing to create whimsical, fairytale images that carry emotional weight and a newfound relevance. His artistic tools include ink, acrylic, foods, weathered paper, dirty water, Photoshop and a [Wacom](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/art-pen-2) tablet. His style is actually really unusual. My favorite image is of the young girl, who seems to look like she is wearing a [brown paper hat](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fragmenti) on the top of her head, sporting a beardlike mask over her face. Though it may be strange to some, his work is undeniably stunningly beautiful and totally original. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.5/10 - Popularity: 72% | Activity: 56% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South 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 ### What's Driving This Trend - **Mixed Media Art:** Exploring the fusion of traditional techniques and digital processing to create unique and emotionally impactful artwork. - **Whimsical Illustrations:** Creating fairytale-like images that carry deep emotional weight and invoke a sense of wonder and magic. - **Unconventional Techniques:** Using unconventional materials and tools, such as weathered paper, dirty water, and food, to add texture and depth to artwork. ### Who This Affects Most - **Graphic Design:** Integrating mixed media techniques and unconventional materials into graphic design projects to create visually striking and emotionally compelling visuals. - **Fine Art:** Exploring the use of unconventional materials and techniques in fine art to push boundaries and create thought-provoking and visually captivating pieces. - **Publishing:** Incorporating the use of whimsical illustrations created with a mix of traditional and digital techniques into children's books, magazines, and other printed materials to captivate and engage young readers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Stunning Origami Portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/origami-portaits.md) - [Artistic Rum Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artists-of-the-abyss.md) - [AI-Generated Real-World Transformations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-generated-world.md) - [Vibrantly Colorful Dynamic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kayla-rumpp.md) - [Limited Humorous Art Prints](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/david-shrigley-1.md) - [AI-Generated Poetic Photo Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emilio-alarcn.md) - [Otherworldly Wooden Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-sculptures-1.md) - [Paper Curvature Lights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-curves.md) - [Statement Street Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1.md)