Admiral Sir Ernle Chatfield, British Navy 1921

Walter Tittle captured Admiral Sir Ernle Chatfield using a plate, probably made of copper or zinc. The drawing is all about capturing the admiral's strong features through these deliberate, etched lines. I wonder about Tittle as he worked on this plate. Did he see something specific in the admiral's eyes, a certain resolve? Look at how each tiny line adds up, building the form bit by bit! You know, making art is a bit like a conversation. Artists respond to what they see, feel, and know, translating it through their marks. Take the shading around his eyes, for instance - it gives him a very wise yet determined look, doesn't it? It's all about balance, the push and pull. It reminds me of other artists who've used etching to explore depth, like Rembrandt. There is something magical and alchemical about the etching process: fire, acid, metal, pressure, ink, paper. It makes you realise that we're all part of this ongoing artistic dialogue!