Drawing of part of a frieze
1882
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1882
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Beatrix Potter made this watercolour study in 1882 as a young student. It’s a neat little drawing of a floral pattern, the kind of exercise she did to learn the craft. The school even called it “Excellent.” Potter copied from nature and old books, but she wasn’t supposed to. Her parents thought too much formal training would spoil her fresh eye. See how she later turned that same careful eye to stories and mushrooms at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
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