Studio: international art (9.1897)

Architectural Sketching

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WIMBORNE MINSTER FROM A DRAWING IN LEAD-PENCIL BY ARNOLD MITCHELL

interesting indeed when thus visited, and nothing able inconvenience; and hospitality of a more

helps one so much to get into touch with the solid description often follows, resulting it may be

people of the locality as sketching. in new and delightful acquaintances.

The stranger sketching the church is bound to
be an object of interest to the inhabitants of the

place, and almost invariably the act is taken as a —USHEY MODELS. BY R.

high compliment, and is but seldom resented. It is I MORTON NANCE,

curious how much help is spontaneously proffered I

to one so engaged; interesting little scraps of ■ If he takes his walks abroad at a

information about the building are given, followed J J fairly early hour on a weekday morning,

perhaps by no less interesting little bits of personal the uninitiated visitor to the village of Bushey will

history, and talk of the friendliest character, result- be somewhat surprised, on approaching the cele-

ing it may be in substantial help in one's work in brated school, to find the gates of that establish-

the pointing out of the best view, and the indica- ment walled in by a heterogeneous crowd of

tion of features and objects that might otherwise villagers of all ages, sizes, and sexes, and he will

be overlooked. Often, too, the objects best worth instinctively nerve himself for a Punch and Judy

seeing in a place are hidden away from the show, a dancing bear, or a dog fight. These good

stranger's view altogether ; the old houses with people, however, are not here for diversion, but have

their panelling, fireplaces, glass, and furniture ; to come with a fierce resolve to be " taken on " for the

these again and again the sketcher obtains access, day at the school, and old folks and children,

simply because he is a sketcher, the owner being " boys and girls, the vacant and the busy, maids

only too proud to exhibit his belongings where he and youths, and urchins newly breeched," elbow

knows they will be appreciated. and jostle one another in the hope of being

Many a point of view from which a building selected to " sit" as models for the students,
may best be seen, especially in old towns, is from On these occasions representatives of the work-
the upper windows, or even from the roof of ing population of the village are usually con-
houses near by ; and it is remarkable how readily spicuous by their absence, and the adult portion
access to such positions is gained if application be of the picturesque crowd consists for the most
made sketch-book in hand. No trouble is too part of those who look upon field labour as
great on the part of one's temporary host to give savouring too much of hard work, and who prefer
every possible facility for work even at consider- a life of masterly inactivity to one devoted to the

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