Old Water Mill is a print of a highly detailed pen-and-ink drawing: a traditional timber water mill set deep in woodland, beside a rocky stream. The large wooden water wheel, the weathered board walls, the small windows and balcony, the steep shingled roof with its brick chimney and the wooden steps are all drawn with close attention to structure and texture, while mature trees and tall firs frame the building on every side. The image is built entirely from fine lines. Closely spaced hatching gives the dark timber surfaces of the mill, cross-hatching deepens the shadows, and shorter, irregular strokes describe the rocks, reeds and moving water. Clusters of tiny curled marks suggest leaves and undergrowth, and areas of untouched paper are left as highlights, which gives the scene its strong contrast of light and shade. The subject belongs to the long tradition of the picturesque rural landscape, in which old mills, bridges and cottages stand for craftsmanship, country life and the meeting of human building with the natural world. At A4 size it suits a study, library, hallway, cabin or cottage interior, or a gallery wall of black-and-white works on paper. DETAILS Title: Old Water Mill Artist: Unknown; no visible signature Date: Undated Medium: Print of a pen-and-ink drawing, on paper Technique of the drawing: Pen and ink, hatching and cross-hatching Size: 21 × 29.7 cm (A4, 8.3 × 11.7 in), portrait Colour: Black and cream, monochrome Style: Traditional
