early life and training

charles duffield harding, a british landscape painter, lithographer, and author of drawing manuals, was born in 1798 at deptford. his father, a drawing-master who had been a pupil of paul sandby, taught him perspective. harding also received lessons from samuel prout.

artistic career and influences

at the age of thirteen, harding exhibited two drawings of buildings in the style of prout at the royal academy. he was apprenticed to the engraver charles pye but left after a year to focus on painting watercolors. in 1818, he showed with the society of painters in watercolours (known as the "old watercolour society" or owcs from 1831) for the first time.

notable works and techniques

* sketches at home and abroad, a series of fifty plates using lithography, was published in 1836. * the park and the forest, a set of sketches drawn on stone with a brush, was published in 1841. this technique, which harding called "lithotint," was his own invention. * harding's use of opaque body color in watercolor, following the example set by j.m.w. turner, proved influential.

teaching and legacy

harding was a successful teacher who adopted lithography to reproduce good examples for pupils and students. his educational manuals, including lessons on art, were widely used in britain and abroad. harding also produced pencils under his name with winsor and newton. important dates:

• born in 1798
• died on december 4, 1863
• elected an associate of the owcs in 1820 and a full member in 1821

museums and collections

* the museum musée municipal a.g. poulain de vernon (vernon, canada), featuring works by harding. * charles duffield harding's artworks on WahooArt.com, showcasing his prolific output. wikipedia: james duffield harding charles duffield harding's artworks on WahooArt.com