Why do the scenes in the art of Waterhouse seem bigger than life?

John William Waterhouse has some incredible paintings….

He represents a strong facet of my tastes in art regardless of how widespread images of his paintings are in this culture. (I refuse to let the fact that everyone else’s knowing about something good that I like, would make me think any less of it. If I liked Harry Potter. Well, I wouldn’t care that a bunch of screaming college manchildren who play fictional quidditch liked Harry Potter too. In fact I might join them, if I was so inclined.)

So all that said, and probably unnecessarily, what is it about Mr. Waterhouse’s paintings that would make an actual picture set up in the same manner, less dreamy.

Is it the light? Is it the medium?

How is this done? Is that the genius of the artist?