King Log and King Stork 1908

Walter Crane made this image, King Log and King Stork, as an illustration with pen and watercolor. It's got this gentle palette, light blues, greens and ochres, that feels like a world of imagination unfolding. Look at the line work, so clean and deliberate. You can see how the hand of the artist moves confidently, yet there is also a looseness in the watercolor washes, especially in the water and sky. Notice how Crane uses these subtle colors to create a sense of depth. It's as if the paper itself is breathing, the colors are so airy. The stork itself is a marvel. The texture of its feathers, implied with the delicate strokes, gives the bird a real presence. All the frogs surrounding the bird give a sense of it's size and dominance. It makes me think about the illustrations of Aubrey Beardsley, both artists had the confidence to create strong outlines. Art isn’t about perfection but the ongoing conversation.