The frog prince 1913

Arthur Rackham made this illustration for The Frog Prince with ink and watercolor, and it just sings of process. Look at how he’s built up the image with these delicate lines, especially in the woods behind the princess. It’s almost like he’s feeling his way into the scene. The colors are muted, earthy, giving it an antique, storybook feel, like something discovered in Grandma’s attic. I love the way the trees are drawn with these vertical lines. It’s almost like Rackham is creating a stage set, with the woods as the backdrop. The princess, kneeling, reaching for the frog, and the way her gown flows around her feels so carefully considered, like a dance. Rackham reminds me a bit of Aubrey Beardsley, but with a softer touch. Both were masters of line, but Rackham brings a certain warmth and whimsy that’s all his own. His illustrations invite us to get lost in the story.