DOI issue:
No. 218 (May, 1911)
DOI article:Salaman, Malcolm C.: The engraving school at the Royal College of Art
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20972#0303
The. Royal College of A rt Engraving School
artist who, having won his spurs with, say, water- daintiness, share the happy spirit of camaraderie
colour, or other medium, is now drawn to the which prevails among the male students, doing all
copper-plate. And this unflagging enthusiasm for they do, and shirking no detail of muscular work,
work, with a real ambition to learn, is inspired by be it the filing or polishing of the copper, handling
the energetic example and masterful influence of the big ink-dabbers, kneading a stiff piece of
Mr. Short himself, and in no small degree also by etching-ground, or turning the wheel of the print-
his accomplished and invaluable assistant and once ing-press. The "slacker," be he man or woman,
fellow-student in this very school, Miss Constance would find no place in this engraving school; but
M. Pott, a true artist, whose expert knowledge of the true student, realising through Mr. Short's
the engraver's craft is quite extraordinary. methods the atmosphere of a studio rather than a
So, if on any Saturday during term-time you are school, imbibes the spirit and ambition of the
privileged to go into the classrooms, you will find artist, and learns his craftsmanship with the more
an amazing activity, and much remarkable work enthusiasm. One recognises this in the midst of
being done ; and, as four o'clock, the closing hour, the busy scene which the school presents, especially
approaches, you cannot doubt that Mr. Short's as the clock is nearing four on Saturday,
ideal is being realised. All is eagerness, energy, Go into the printing-room, and you will find
enthusiasm; whatever he or she may be doing, Mr. Short, quite a picturesque figure in his blue
every student is on his or her mettle. And among blouse, with dabber in hand, standing at one of
the most enthusiastic are the lady students, who, the heaters or "jiggers," inking and then wiping
in their workmanlike blouses, touched, perhaps in some student's plate, preparatory to its printing, as
the collar, with just a suggestion of embroidered keenly and sensitively as if it were one of his own
exquisite etchings or mezzo-
tints, while the student,
standing by, is watching and
learning, one of an eager
group, each with a copper-
plate in hand, anxiously
waiting to submit it to Mr.
Short for some criticism or
advice before it is subjected
to the rigorous criticism of
the printing-press. And all
the time the master will be
giving invaluable hints and
suggestions and rules, in-
variably warmed with per-
sonal interest and good
humour, while the students
who are the privileged prin-
ters of the day will be inking
their fellows' plates or their
own, and passing them, as
well as the plates inked by
the master, under the rollers ;
and these engravers-in-the-
making will be learning un-
forgettable lessons as the
blankets are lifted, the damp
paper is carefully raised from
the copper, and the proof is
revealed. Meanwhile, there
is equal activity in the ad-
joining room, where the
• l'EMME ET ENFANT" BY HENRIETTE AMIARD OBERTEUFFER -11,1 11,
(Seepreceding article) acid-baths are, and all
artist who, having won his spurs with, say, water- daintiness, share the happy spirit of camaraderie
colour, or other medium, is now drawn to the which prevails among the male students, doing all
copper-plate. And this unflagging enthusiasm for they do, and shirking no detail of muscular work,
work, with a real ambition to learn, is inspired by be it the filing or polishing of the copper, handling
the energetic example and masterful influence of the big ink-dabbers, kneading a stiff piece of
Mr. Short himself, and in no small degree also by etching-ground, or turning the wheel of the print-
his accomplished and invaluable assistant and once ing-press. The "slacker," be he man or woman,
fellow-student in this very school, Miss Constance would find no place in this engraving school; but
M. Pott, a true artist, whose expert knowledge of the true student, realising through Mr. Short's
the engraver's craft is quite extraordinary. methods the atmosphere of a studio rather than a
So, if on any Saturday during term-time you are school, imbibes the spirit and ambition of the
privileged to go into the classrooms, you will find artist, and learns his craftsmanship with the more
an amazing activity, and much remarkable work enthusiasm. One recognises this in the midst of
being done ; and, as four o'clock, the closing hour, the busy scene which the school presents, especially
approaches, you cannot doubt that Mr. Short's as the clock is nearing four on Saturday,
ideal is being realised. All is eagerness, energy, Go into the printing-room, and you will find
enthusiasm; whatever he or she may be doing, Mr. Short, quite a picturesque figure in his blue
every student is on his or her mettle. And among blouse, with dabber in hand, standing at one of
the most enthusiastic are the lady students, who, the heaters or "jiggers," inking and then wiping
in their workmanlike blouses, touched, perhaps in some student's plate, preparatory to its printing, as
the collar, with just a suggestion of embroidered keenly and sensitively as if it were one of his own
exquisite etchings or mezzo-
tints, while the student,
standing by, is watching and
learning, one of an eager
group, each with a copper-
plate in hand, anxiously
waiting to submit it to Mr.
Short for some criticism or
advice before it is subjected
to the rigorous criticism of
the printing-press. And all
the time the master will be
giving invaluable hints and
suggestions and rules, in-
variably warmed with per-
sonal interest and good
humour, while the students
who are the privileged prin-
ters of the day will be inking
their fellows' plates or their
own, and passing them, as
well as the plates inked by
the master, under the rollers ;
and these engravers-in-the-
making will be learning un-
forgettable lessons as the
blankets are lifted, the damp
paper is carefully raised from
the copper, and the proof is
revealed. Meanwhile, there
is equal activity in the ad-
joining room, where the
• l'EMME ET ENFANT" BY HENRIETTE AMIARD OBERTEUFFER -11,1 11,
(Seepreceding article) acid-baths are, and all