A Master of Pen and Ink

Even the simplest illustration by Douglas Walters is technically and emotionally complex. Less sophisticated "horror" illustrators rely on trite images of laughing skulls, menacing ghosts, leering Satans, or angry demons. That's why most horror illustrations seem unintelligent and unimportant, like Halloween clip-art. But the monster (above) drawn by Douglas Walters expresses uncertainty and pathos. The posture is an expression of despair; the fingers curl in futility--even the toes of the foot (far left) manage to communicate lost hope. The drama is elegant and unexpected, and has an eerie emotional resonance.