Illustration for Zlatovláska 1911

This illustration for Zlatovláska by Artuš Scheiner uses watercolor and ink to bring a Czech fairy tale to life. The color palette is earthy, with browns and greens dominating the landscape, punctuated by the splash of red in the figure's cloak. I love how Scheiner uses bold, graphic shapes for the crows. They are silhouetted against a hazy landscape, the kind of scene that feels both familiar and dreamlike. The trees are formed with soft, blended washes of green, but if you look closely, you can see how the artist has scratched into the surface to create texture. It’s a subtle detail, but it adds depth and dimension to the scene. Scheiner’s style reminds me of other illustrators, like Kay Nielsen and Edmund Dulac, who drew inspiration from folk tales and mythology. In all of their works you find the same sense of wonder and enchantment, the same ability to transport us to another world. Ultimately, it is up to the viewer to find their own connection to the images.