This is a pencil study for Cowie's painting 'A Portrait Group', which is also owned by the Gallery. Cowie had a meticulous way of working and made detailed pencil studies for his paintings, of which this drawing is an example. The composition was then 'pieced together' from these individual studies. When choosing models for his paintings from among his students, Cowie looked for children with strong, often ungainly features. His treatment of eyes is often the most compelling part of his drawings, and it appears he often deliberately distorted one eye for greater effect