Children’s illustration very much reflects the tastes and social morays of the time. Anyone who has seen the endless pastiches of the original Janet and John series will know how anachronistic the vision of family depicted appears today.
I still have one or two Ladybird books on my bookshelves and they have become historic documents in themselves showing a world that has all but disappeared: streets with no cars parked either side being one very obvious difference. The Illustration Machine loves the variety, experimentation and opportunism contemporary illustrators use and is proud to promote so many talented practitioners.
We know children’s literature which accentuates contemporary experience is wonderful and I have enjoyed books which tackle difficult subjects in a no nonsense way with fine pictures to underscore the point. The only thing is I also like the fantastical element associated with some artists and the one who had a massive impact on my own drawing style and imagination has been Arthur Rackham.
Even now I am typing this with a page of images open on the internet and I want to stop and study each one. The element of otherworldliness imbued in these pictures is intensely portrayed; one expects things to happen when you gaze into each illustration. Take this one for example; it is thrilling and is enough to give any child nightmares. It almost looks like a photographic reproduction but it is very much a pen and India ink picture complete with multiple washes which almost appear translucent in the finished picture.
The muted palette which has bleached the sky looks malevolent as if a storm is brewing and night will fall shortly. Pathetic fallacy is redolent in this picture and we anticipate the worst. The fairy’s costume echoes the tree roots, she is so close she may well become entangled and trapped forever.
Our caricatured villain with his supernatural air and gnarled appearance is the embodiment of a child’s fear and looking at this picture would engender the same feeling as the scariest fairground ride complete with excitement, dread and desire. The same intensity I experienced when watching ‘the Singing Ringing Tree’ on television many years ago which also captured that northern European Nordic style. This is actually much beloved of heavy metal bands like Cradle of Filth and Rammstein which lean towards this kind of imagery. Yes, another passion of mine!
The detail draws the viewer’s eye, look at the veins and warts on the goblin’s hands, which are picked up on the tree bark and the face. Claw-like finger nails and the tiny insects which fly around; the brittle branches which also look dangerous, ‘all the better to snag you with!’ all intensify the air of menace.
Of course you might write a thesis on the fairy with her perfect skin and blonde hair, air of innocence and naïve curiosity but not here. I am just fascinated by the image. Arthur Rackham is probably one of the greatest illustrators of the early twentieth century in what is often termed ‘The Golden Age’. He was working at a time when there was a real market for quality and Rackham was often published within limited editions and bound in vellum. The appetite for these books diminished at the onset of World War I but Rackham’s work is in high demand the world over.
Let’s hope books published by the Illustration Machine will stand the test of time too!
The Illustration Machine 
He is one of the best! Very nice presentation.
Elephant
Great post Lisa – his work is exquisite – you feel truly transported to another place