Illustration. 'Fairy Tales: Teremok. Mizgir'. 1910

Here is a block print by Heorhiy Narbut, made sometime around 1910, illustrating a Russian fairy tale. I love how the colours are blocked in, so that the forms are flattened and simplified. The bear stands upright, holding an impossibly huge scythe. I can imagine Narbut, sketching and re-sketching, trying to find the right balance between the cute animal and the deadly weapon. He was a master of graphic design and probably thought a lot about the balance of positive and negative space in order to suggest depth. It’s really something, how artists like Narbut can bring a story to life with just a few simple shapes and colors. His legacy goes on through many artists who are likewise working with simple designs today. And for me, it makes me want to go back to my studio and keep on painting.