From Illustration to Fine Art...

One has to realize that before the 'golden age' of pen and ink illustration, ink renderings were in general considered as sketches for further or finished works in oils... it wasn't until the advent of being able to illustrate in the manner first shown by Vierge that the possibility of pen and ink as Fine Art could arise - principally because only then could the value of inducing all the shades and drama of other's paintings [when first was considered], then quickly one's own in terms of value work, was seen as something most suited to the black and white of ink...

However, progress in technology was so fast that as far as pen and ink was concerned, it was eclipsed for other means, including color processes - and those who engaged in the artistry never then sought to 'upgrade' to renderings considered on their own, as Fine Art.... true, individual renderings were eventually sold as works on their own, but they were still considered as drawings and not ink painting since they were illustrations - moreover, their size was usually little different from the printed copy in the books or magazines illustrated... when photocopying came along, then it was paintings and photos which were used, so the original size could be cropped and reduced or enlarged at will, another reason not to 'upgrade'....

Until now...