Building the house for Maimie 1913

Arthur Rackham made this illustration, "Building the house for Maimie," with pen and ink, probably for a children's book – look at all those gnomes working! I love the way Rackham uses these scratchy, thin lines to describe everything, from the snow to the bark on the trees. It's like he's building the image one tiny stroke at a time. I'm really drawn to the way the pale colors give the whole scene this dreamy, otherworldly feel. The whole image feels like a faded memory, or maybe something half-remembered from a childhood fairytale. Check out the house’s rooftop, with its little weathercock. It’s charming, right? Like the cherry on top of this whimsical illustration. Rackham’s work reminds me a little of Edward Gorey, but with a touch more warmth. Both artists have this incredible attention to detail and a love for the macabre. But Rackham's world always feels a bit more inviting, even with all its spooky trees and quirky characters.