Technique

The course headings given in the Regulations of the Military Academy, comprised, 'Elements of the human figure ... Landscape with pen ... Landscape in India ink, and elements of Topography with pen, pencil, India ink and colors', and Whistler's master, Robert Walter Weir (1803-1889), defined his Course of Instruction as follows:

'1) Geographical signs; 1) topographical delineation of rocks and hills, wild and uncultivated ground; rivers, lakes, marshes; 3) formation of letters; 4) course of topography with brush laying flat, broken and blended tints, shading mountains, rocks, trees, and other objects. 5) the course in freehand work begins with outline drawings of human figure and outline drawings from Flaxman and Retzsch.' 1