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Enchanted: The Faerie and Fantasy Art of Linda Ravenscroft
“I am often asked why I chose to paint faeries. The answer is—I didn’t, they chose me!” For artist Linda Ravenscroft, capturing the fairy world on paper is nothing less than a calling. Enchanted is her third book devoted to these fantastical creatures, and it is her finest work yet. Linda has created images rich in detail and magic, able to transport viewers into mysterious other realms. In addition to the paintings, she reveals a little about her artistic approach…but generally lets the work speak for itself. A gorgeous gift book for fairy-lovers.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 31, 2018
I remember once, looking at some illustrations of fairies painted in the 1930s. Very beautiful, pastel-coloured watercolours they were, depicting delicate wraiths tastefully wreathed in flimsy, floating drapery. But every single fairy had a modern, 1930s hairstyle and their heads looked like something out of a fashion magazine!
Perhaps this is always going to be a problem with popular illustrations of "faerie" or mythical beings. For these illustrations in Enchanted: The Faerie and Fantasy Art of Linda Ravenscroft also suffer from the same transitoriness.
Linda Ravenscroft's paintings, it should be said, are quite beautiful, with much decorative appeal and perfectly executed. Think William Morris meets Alphonse Mucha, with a modern twist, and you won't go far wrong. They are hard-edged, ink and water-colour two-dimensional images, which would show to advantage in stained glass. But these scantily-clad fairies are so very much of their time with their laced bodices, plum-coloured pouting lips and provocative postures. It is clear why some of them have been selected as calendar pictures. Is it "Art"? No, not in my view. It will not last. But this is certainly a book of very attractive images.
It would be nice to have seen more of the Green Man, and the paintings where faces suddenly reveal themselves from the foliage are the most inventive. There is a lot of foliage; in fact most pictures contain many decorative leaves, trees and berries - and one perfect fairy. They are all perfect, perhaps inevitably. There is not a fat fairy in sight. You may personally express a belief that no fairies are fat. Consider though, that the current preference is not for the excessive flesh of Rubens's nudes, nor the amply generous proportions of Victorian risque photography, but for something more akin to underweight achieved by strict slimming diets. No, yet again, these images are both appealing to and following current fashionable trends, rather than being inspired by myth.
Each illustration is accompanied by a little homily, a verse or a few inspirational words by the author. Some readers may like this. Others may find it rather worrying that life advice is being given through the means of rather dubious sultry images. Here's one at random,
"Everyone loves to sit in a garden. Faeries are no exception...Transport yourself into a place of peace and tranquility, a sanctuary for those who dream of better things, a place to relax and let your fears drift away."
And here's another
"Faeries have wishes too! This one is keeping hers a secret,
As should be done with all good wishes otherwise they just won't come true!" Or,
"The Phoenix rises from the ashes; breaking free of all despair and sadness, never giving up, ready to start her life anew."
Are these fairies role models for today's young women, then? The fairies are all females, incidentally. Again, this is a little disappointing.
The book itself is smaller than ideal. It is slightly wider than an average hardback book, and the illustrations do deserve a full oversize presentation, preferably one per page, without the little comments.
The star rating reflects all these considerations. It is not a rating for the excellence of the illustrator. She is profoundly talented, accomplished and inventive. The images are very popular world-wide, and much in evidence as prints or figurines etcetera in gift shops. Basically though, it's a twee, vaguely erotic "girlie" thing.
But link here to images on Wiki, and decide for yourself.
Perhaps this is always going to be a problem with popular illustrations of "faerie" or mythical beings. For these illustrations in Enchanted: The Faerie and Fantasy Art of Linda Ravenscroft also suffer from the same transitoriness.
Linda Ravenscroft's paintings, it should be said, are quite beautiful, with much decorative appeal and perfectly executed. Think William Morris meets Alphonse Mucha, with a modern twist, and you won't go far wrong. They are hard-edged, ink and water-colour two-dimensional images, which would show to advantage in stained glass. But these scantily-clad fairies are so very much of their time with their laced bodices, plum-coloured pouting lips and provocative postures. It is clear why some of them have been selected as calendar pictures. Is it "Art"? No, not in my view. It will not last. But this is certainly a book of very attractive images.
It would be nice to have seen more of the Green Man, and the paintings where faces suddenly reveal themselves from the foliage are the most inventive. There is a lot of foliage; in fact most pictures contain many decorative leaves, trees and berries - and one perfect fairy. They are all perfect, perhaps inevitably. There is not a fat fairy in sight. You may personally express a belief that no fairies are fat. Consider though, that the current preference is not for the excessive flesh of Rubens's nudes, nor the amply generous proportions of Victorian risque photography, but for something more akin to underweight achieved by strict slimming diets. No, yet again, these images are both appealing to and following current fashionable trends, rather than being inspired by myth.
Each illustration is accompanied by a little homily, a verse or a few inspirational words by the author. Some readers may like this. Others may find it rather worrying that life advice is being given through the means of rather dubious sultry images. Here's one at random,
"Everyone loves to sit in a garden. Faeries are no exception...Transport yourself into a place of peace and tranquility, a sanctuary for those who dream of better things, a place to relax and let your fears drift away."
And here's another
"Faeries have wishes too! This one is keeping hers a secret,
As should be done with all good wishes otherwise they just won't come true!" Or,
"The Phoenix rises from the ashes; breaking free of all despair and sadness, never giving up, ready to start her life anew."
Are these fairies role models for today's young women, then? The fairies are all females, incidentally. Again, this is a little disappointing.
The book itself is smaller than ideal. It is slightly wider than an average hardback book, and the illustrations do deserve a full oversize presentation, preferably one per page, without the little comments.
The star rating reflects all these considerations. It is not a rating for the excellence of the illustrator. She is profoundly talented, accomplished and inventive. The images are very popular world-wide, and much in evidence as prints or figurines etcetera in gift shops. Basically though, it's a twee, vaguely erotic "girlie" thing.
But link here to images on Wiki, and decide for yourself.
July 28, 2019
A beautifully illustrated enchanting read with experiences from the artist's life. Really inspiring for anyone who loves fantasy and fae art.
May 20, 2009
I just got this book in the mail and I absolutely fell in love with it!
The one thing I really like about Linda is that her artwork is SO detailed... and much more realistic looking than say, Amy Brown (although I love her too, don't get me wrong). Linda must have been influenced heavily by the Art Nouveau era because she often reminds me of Alphonse Mucha... only with a more faery and woodsy touch (think Mucha meets Froud). Very romantic and very appealing.
The only series of drawings in this book that I'm not as fond of are the Zodiac series... but that's just because they have little differences between them. They are kinda dull in comparison with her other pieces. Guess she must have just done them just for fun.
The one thing I really like about Linda is that her artwork is SO detailed... and much more realistic looking than say, Amy Brown (although I love her too, don't get me wrong). Linda must have been influenced heavily by the Art Nouveau era because she often reminds me of Alphonse Mucha... only with a more faery and woodsy touch (think Mucha meets Froud). Very romantic and very appealing.
The only series of drawings in this book that I'm not as fond of are the Zodiac series... but that's just because they have little differences between them. They are kinda dull in comparison with her other pieces. Guess she must have just done them just for fun.
January 18, 2016
Linda's artwork is so beautiful and inspiring. I wanted this book to be bigger - coffee table size. This slightly larger than your average hardback size does not do her artwork justice.
September 28, 2011
Linda has a lovely art style and this book shows off some great pieces.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews