Edmund J. Sullivan

from a 1950 American Artist magazine: 'Illustration Q & A' with Robert Fawcett

Q: "I have often wondered if your work at the Slade School of London and under Edmund Sullivan was of value to you as an illustrator."

A: Fawcett replied, "At Slade, academic and searching drawing was so insisted upon that draftsmanship became second nature. I did nothing but draw from the model eight hours a day for two years. This experience created a backlog to which I constantly refer even now. I may disagree with some of the preceps laid down, but I will never regret the Spartan grind we went through then." 

E. J. Sullivan [Edmund J. Sullivan, Edmund Joseph Sullivan] (1869-1933)

Illustrator, teacher, author; The Art of Illustration, 1921 and LINE: An Art Study, 1922

"A drawing rightly begun starts with the points and

lines of the most vital significance; so that no matter

how little time may be given to it, or what interruption

may prevent its carrying to the intended conclusion,

nothing can rob it of this vitality, arising from the artist's

energy of mind as well as from the character of the object.

Something of value is put there from the very start;

whereas if the attack is indirect, and the work be interrupted

from any cause whatever, there may be nothing

left behind but the pathetic evidence of a vague frustrated

intention to draw something. Failure, in short." ~ Edmund J. Sullivan

Grateful Dead poster featuring appropriated art