A detail of watercolour sketch of buildings on a series of coastal cliffs.

Ruskin and the Practice of Drawing

13 January – 25 March 2001

With pictures by American artist David-Everett Blythe.

“All art is but dirtying the paper delicately.”
John Ruskin, The Elements of Drawing

This display focused on John Ruskin’s engagement in the teaching of what he called “the practice of drawing”. It included examples of his own work showing the development of his drawing style and his interest in practical techniques. Subjects of drawings by Ruskin featured in this exhibition included Avranches (Normandy, France), Watendlath Tarn (Cumbria, England) and Amalfi (Salerno, Italy).

A detailed drawing of a landscape with clouds and mountains in the background and a lake, bridge and small house in the foreground. — John Ruskin, ‘Watendlath Tarn, Cumberland’, 1838, 1996P1678 © The Ruskin, Lancaster University

Also included in the display were beautiful watercolours inspired by this “practice of drawing” by the teacher, scholar and artist David-Everett Blythe. Blythe has published work on nineteenth-century English literature, including articles about Ruskin himself. Over many years, he has made watercolour copies of pictures by Ruskin, as well as Constable, Turner and other artists. In following Ruskin, Blythe tried to adhere to his guidelines and reproduce techniques featured in writings such as The Elements of Drawing.