DOI Heft:
No. 218 (May, 1911)
DOI Artikel:Salaman, Malcolm C.: The engraving school at the Royal College of Art
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20972#0309
The Royal College of Art Engraving School
" KNARESBOROUGH " (AQUATINT) BY. CONSTANCE M. I'OTT, R. E.
Every student, on entering, is provided with a drawing a piece ot copper is cut for him, and he
complete outfit, consisting of etching-dabber, hand- is taught to file the edges with a clean bevel. Then
tools, mirrors, &c, and these he is taught to keep cautioned against those inveterate foes of the
in workmanlike order, the careful whetting being a copper-plate, grease and dust, he is set to clean
very important matter. Many of the tools used the plate preparatory to putting a ground upon it-
here are of Mr. Short's own design and make, and When he has learnt to ground his own plate and
he regards the intimate knowledge and mastery of transfer the design, he commences the needling,
his tools as one of the first considerations for the and his work is overlooked by Mr. Short with a
worker upon the copper-plate. He even encourages view to training him to achieve the right quality
his pupils to learn to make tools of their own, as he of line for etching. The properties of the differen
himself does. acids are next explained to him, as well as the
Before beginning to work upon the copper the varying effects of different temperatures for the
student is required to submit some drawings, so bath, and the great advantage of careful " stopping
that Mr. Short may be able to judge, from his out" is duly impressed upon him, for Mr. Short
capacity as a draughtsman, what course would be maintains that this is " more than half the battle "
best for him to follow. In nearly every case the in good etching. Then the first proof is taken, and
student begins by copying closely one of Amand it is ten chances to one that the novice receives a
Durant's reproductions from etchings by Vandyck, rude shock. But this is salutary, and thanks to the
Rembrandt, or Albert Diirer. This is merely to kindly humour with which Mr. Short softens the
give him a preliminary exercise in careful shock, and his helpful criticism, this first proof
drawing, and make him observant of the master's with all its imperfections, usually proves a ver
technique. After he has made a tracing of his valuable lesson. The necessary alterations are then
287
" KNARESBOROUGH " (AQUATINT) BY. CONSTANCE M. I'OTT, R. E.
Every student, on entering, is provided with a drawing a piece ot copper is cut for him, and he
complete outfit, consisting of etching-dabber, hand- is taught to file the edges with a clean bevel. Then
tools, mirrors, &c, and these he is taught to keep cautioned against those inveterate foes of the
in workmanlike order, the careful whetting being a copper-plate, grease and dust, he is set to clean
very important matter. Many of the tools used the plate preparatory to putting a ground upon it-
here are of Mr. Short's own design and make, and When he has learnt to ground his own plate and
he regards the intimate knowledge and mastery of transfer the design, he commences the needling,
his tools as one of the first considerations for the and his work is overlooked by Mr. Short with a
worker upon the copper-plate. He even encourages view to training him to achieve the right quality
his pupils to learn to make tools of their own, as he of line for etching. The properties of the differen
himself does. acids are next explained to him, as well as the
Before beginning to work upon the copper the varying effects of different temperatures for the
student is required to submit some drawings, so bath, and the great advantage of careful " stopping
that Mr. Short may be able to judge, from his out" is duly impressed upon him, for Mr. Short
capacity as a draughtsman, what course would be maintains that this is " more than half the battle "
best for him to follow. In nearly every case the in good etching. Then the first proof is taken, and
student begins by copying closely one of Amand it is ten chances to one that the novice receives a
Durant's reproductions from etchings by Vandyck, rude shock. But this is salutary, and thanks to the
Rembrandt, or Albert Diirer. This is merely to kindly humour with which Mr. Short softens the
give him a preliminary exercise in careful shock, and his helpful criticism, this first proof
drawing, and make him observant of the master's with all its imperfections, usually proves a ver
technique. After he has made a tracing of his valuable lesson. The necessary alterations are then
287