hemselves in line, but the majority
are strangely ignorant of the principles of this art and of the simple
fac-simile processes by which drawing can now be reproduced. In the
course of twenty years of editing the _Academy Notes_, some strange
facts have come to the writer's notice as to the powerlessness of some
painters to express the _motif_ of a picture in a few lines; also as to
how far we are behind our continental neighbours in this respect.

[Illustration: "A LIGHT OF LAUGHING FLOWERS ALONG THE GRASS IS
SPREAD." (M. RIDLEY CORBET.)]

[Illustration: No. V.

H. S. MARKS.

An example of line drawing and "the art of leaving out," by the
well-known Royal Academician.

Mr. Marks and Sir John Gilbert (_see frontispiece_) were the first
painters to explain the composition and leading lines of their
pictures in the _Academy Notes_ in 1876. Mr. Marks suggests light and
shade and the character of his picture in a few skilful lines. Sir
John Gilbert's pen-and-ink drawing is also full of force and
individuality. These drawings reproduce well by any of the processes.]

[Illustration: "A SELECT COMMITTEE." (FROM THE PAINTING BY H. S.
MARKS, R.A.)

(_Royal Academy, 1891._)]

It is interesting to note here the firmness of line and clearness of
reproduction by the common process block; the result being more
satisfactory than many drawings by professional illustrators. The reason
is not far to seek; the painter knows his picture and how to give the
effect of it in black and white, in a few lines; and, in the case of Mr.
Corbet and Miss Montalba, they have made themselves acquainted with the
best way of drawing for the Press. There are many other methods than
pen-and-ink which draughtsmen use,--pencil, chalk, wash, grained paper,
&c, but first as to line drawing, because _it is the only means by which
certain results can be obtained_, and it is the one which, for practical
reasons, should be first mastered. Line drawings are now reproduced on
zinc blocks fitted for the type press at a cost of less than sixpence
the square inch for large blocks; the processes of reproduction will be
explained further on.

It cannot be sufficiently borne in mind--I am speaking now to students
who are not intimate with the subject--that to produce with pure black
lines the quality and effect of lines in which there is some gradation
of tone, is no easy matter, especially to those accustomed to the wood
engraver