Studio: international art (61.1914)

Frederic Whiting, R.B.A.

under the direction of Philip Calderon, R.A. 1904 the Russo-Japanese War broke out, and
Here he had the advantage of some teaching from again Mr. Whiting acted as special correspon-
Mr. Sargent, but in these student days one gathers dent for " The Graphic." He accompanied the
that Mr. Whiting was hardly the indefatigable second Japanese army in Manchuria, and, among
worker that he is to-day. He occupied himself— other incidents of the campaign, was present
being seized with profound admiration for Charles at the great battles of Nan-Shan, Liao-yang,
Keene and Phil May and other masters of black- and Sha-ho. At the close of hostilities Mr.
and-white—with making numbers of pen-and-ink Whiting returned to England, visiting Japan and
sketches. Some of these he showed to Mr. W. L. the United States en route. An excellent literary
Thomas of "The Graphic," who was most en- appointment on one of the leading London dailies
couraging to the young artist. During the last two was offered to him, but having now decided to
years Mr. Whiting was in the schools he executed devote himself whole-heartedly to painting he
a good deal of work for "The Graphic" and for declined this tempting offer, and set to work in
the " Daily Graphic " in particular. After four and earnest to follow the path he had determined for
a half years at the Academy Mr. Whiting went for a himself. In 1909 he joined the Langham Sketch
year to Paris and spent six months of that time at Club and renewed old acquaintanceships there, and
Julian's under Jean Paul Laurens and Benjamin in this friendly circle worked every night for two
Constant. On his return
to England he was offered
a post on " The Graphic "
staff, but though he did a
good deal in the way of
military and sporting
sketches for that journal,
he declined the permanent
appointment.

Just about this time,
early in 1900, there broke
out in China the terrible
rising of the Boxers, and
Mr. Whiting went out for
"The Graphic" as their
correspondent. After the
eventful and terrible times
in Pekin, and when all was
quiet again and order re-
stored, he remained on in
North China, and it is one
of his ambitions to return
there some day to paint in
that wonderful land. Here,
he says, are magnificent
subjects for the artist—
schemes of colour, blue
and dun, and crude bar-
baric pageantry in the
sombre and drearily im-
pressive funeral and wed-
ding processions.

Back in England again
he worked at intervals
for "The Graphic,"
sometimes abroad or at .. „ , .

"MISS LYSTER" (WATER-COLOUR) BY FREDERIC WHITING, R.B.A.

themanceuvres. In (By permission of the Hon. Mrs. Lys/er)