The ride of the Valkyries 1910

Arthur Rackham's "The Ride of the Valkyries" is made with pen, ink, and watercolor, which were pretty standard fare for illustrators of his time. Looking closely, you’ll notice how Rackham masterfully uses line and wash. See how he renders the frenzied energy of the Valkyries and their steeds with delicate, almost scratchy pen strokes? Then, notice how he adds depth and atmosphere with layers of translucent watercolor washes? The process gives the artwork an ethereal quality, perfectly suited to the mythological subject matter. Rackham's illustration style was incredibly influential. He really elevated the craft of illustration to an art form. He drew from both the fine arts and traditions of printmaking to produce an appealing artwork, thus demonstrating how craft and fine art enrich each other.