Harry Fenn took at once to drawing on wood and water colour painting, making very rapid progress in both branches of art, and soon becoming the most popular landscape draughtsman in America. It was he who projected, planned, and made all the drawings for "Picturesque America." It came about in this way. He was dining with the well-known publisher, D. Appleton, who, during conversation, regretted that America did not afford such fine material for landscape art as the Old Country—that there was, in fact, nothing picturesque in America. Fenn said: "Give me the chance and you shall see what a variety of beautiful material you have got in America." The reply was: "Well, you shall have a try if you like. Do a few drawings and let us see." Fenn made a few drawings, which encouraged the publisher to carry out the idea; and he did a work which was, perhaps, one of the most brilliantly successful illustrated books ever published, and the forerunner of several similar works, all of which were filled with beautiful examples of his skilful pencil. He still continues to be a popular black and white artist, but devotes much time to painting in water colours.
Joseph Pennell, in his "Modern Illustration," says, "Henry Fenn's illustrations to 'Picturesque America' entitle him to be called the Nestor of his Guild, not only for the delicacy, truth and refinement of his drawing, but also because of the enormous success of the publication."
Charles Kingdon, by far the best engraver of the two, was also very popular in America, but he was of a restless nature and had not the persistent industry of his companion. He died young, and in his death the world lost a brilliant young artist. He married an American lady soon after settling there, and it is worthy of mention, so we have been told, that his daughter, who evidently inherited her father's art instincts and good looks—for Kingdon was a very handsome fellow—was a popular member of the celebrated Augustin Daly's company, and became the wife of an American millionaire.
Another of the most industrious and constant workers was George G. Kilburne, who, soon after completing his engagement with us, gave up engraving altogether and took to painting—mostly in water colours—in which he has long held a prominent position in the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, as well as being a very frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy. He was one of the most satisfactory pupils we ever had. He took up engraving with great aptitude, and from the day he came to us his work was always good. Only the second drawing given to him to work upon was so perfect, that it was published with the set to which it belonged. A peculiarity with Kilburne was that if he were asked to do anything, you found him doing it immediately; with him no time was wanted for preparation. Though he left our studio and forsook the branch of art we taught him, our connection, instead of being severed, became the closer by his marrying the elder daughter of our late brother Robert.
Charles A. Ferrier, a young Scotchman of varied capabilities, who had made some small efforts at wood engraving in his native town of Arbroath, without instruction, came to us to seek employment through an introduction he had obtained to William Harvey. He was a youth of considerable promise and full of enthusiasm for his art. Though the specimens he had to show were very crude, he had evidently been looked upon as a genius by his Scottish friends; but on entering our studio he was indefatigable in his studies, and eager for improvement. Before he had been two months with us he became London correspondent to an Arbroath weekly paper. This letter he generally knocked off during the hour allowed for dinner in the middle of the day. We have reason to believe he turned his attention very much to scientific subjects, and became a Fellow of more than one of the learned Societies. During the whole of his life he has been a staunch teetotaler, and has worked hard in the temperance cause. He became the personal friend of George Cruikshank, Dr. Richardson, and many scientific people, who preferred him as an engraver because of the knowledge he possessed of the objects he had to work upon. Taken altogether, Ferrier became one of the most remarkable men who had their beginning in our studio.