Guthrie moved to Cockburnspath in 1883 and was instrumental in establishing a small artists' colony there. Guthrie took inspiration from Bastien-Lepage and carried a sketchbook around with him at all times to record everything he saw. His sketches were often developed during the winter months back in his studio into large oils for exhibition. This drawing is in one of four sketchbooks by Guthrie, which were presented to the Gallery by his friend and biographer, James Caw. This bold pencil study is for the head of the oldest girl in Guthrie’s painting Schoolmates of 1884 (Musée des Beaux-Arts, Ghent). The picture was painted as Cockburnspath and shows two local girls and a boy walking home from school along a country lane.