Illustrations for Mikhail Stelmakh's book "In the Hedgehog's Windmill" 1956

This illustration for Mikhail Stelmakh's book "In the Hedgehog's Windmill" was made by Hryhorii Havrylenko using pen and ink. The artist's lines give form to the figures of the children, their clothes, and the small table as well as the book they are examining. With the skillful deployment of hatching and cross-hatching, the artist creates a range of tones, from the almost pure white of the paper to areas of deep shadow. It is through this technique that the figures take on a life of their own. The artist's hand is highly present in the drawing and reminds us of the labor involved in the book-making process. Before the age of mechanical reproduction, the hand of the draftsman was essential to the spread of stories and education. The handmade quality brings an immediacy to the work, while the quality of labor has imbued the artwork with social and cultural significance. Paying attention to materials, making, and context is essential in understanding the full meaning of an artwork and blurs the line between fine art and craft.