FINE ARTS.

FORTHCOMING SKETCHES.

SOME half dozen folios of Original Sketches, executed in tint-litho- graphy by the artists themselves, (with only one exception,) are pre- paring for publication in the spring : most of them are interesting both imsubject and style, and two or three are remarkable for novelty and beauty. The publication of one has already commenced in parts,— a series of picturesque scenes on The London and Birmingham Railway, by a young artist of talent, J. C. BOURNE, who conies before the public for the first time. The progress of the works of this stupendous un- dertaking is shown in conjunction with the appearance of the line when finished ; and the inanimate formality of new buildings is ob- viated by the bustle and activity of the gangs of labourers, and pretty peeps of nature on the road : moreover, the structure of various parts is indicated by these means. The mode of raising embankments, ex- cavating tunnels and "cuttings," and constructing arches, whether of brick or iron, is represented in a lively way ; and an idea of the quantity of labour employed is thus given, which enables one to estimate the vastness of the arrangements. The swarms of excavators, with the contrivances for raising the loads, the materials, scaffoldings, and tackle, form striking scenes of the mechanical-picturesque, pleasing to the eye upon the same principle that shipping and craft are so attractive. The effect of light down the shafts of the tunnels is capitally imitated by the tinted-lithography ; and a sense of daylight freshness and clearness is given to the landscapes. The bridges and viaducts, with their im- mense masses of solid masonry and sharp outlines, bestriding little rallies watered by streams fringed with sedge, the arches disclosing little glimpses of rural prospects, and overtopping the trees, present new features of beauty to the English landscape-painter.

Mr. BOURNE has sketched the different subjects with skill and taste : his neat and careful style is well adapted to the precision of the archi- tectural and engineering details ; his touch is free and graceful in the grass and foliage, and his atmospheric effects are bright and serene. One great benefit, by the way, has accrued from the introduction of the mode of representing skies and clouds by white lights raised from a delicate neutral tint, warm or cold as the case may require—the

heavy, gloomy atmosphere that our artists were so fond of, has given place to more cheerful aspects, and the sunshine of England smiles through the rain-clouds.

Several specimen plates of Mr. Viviate's Second Volume of Sketches of the Scenery of Portugal and Spain have appeared, and give promise of a characteristic set of views. They are all lithographed by HAGUE; whose drawing is masterly, but his style is cold and rigid to a degree that is unpleasant : and in aiming to represent the cloudless heat of the climate, he sometimes conveys the impression of a clear frosty day, the whites of the tint looking like ice and snow even when the hue of the tint itself is warm. We instinctively allow for the effect of this

petrific style, however, and readily translate the wintry coldness of the artist's manner into the sultry heat of the climate, in looking at the sub-

jects so well chosen and distinctly delineated by Mr. VIVIAN.

SIDNEY COOPER'S Groups of Cattle, of which specimens have ap-

peared, are drawn in his most finished style, and with elaboration and force of effect surpassing his previous sketches. In the thorough under- standing he displays of the character of his four-footed subjects, horses and asses, sheep and cows, bulls and goats, and his perfect mastery in delineating their forms and the texture of their hides, he rivals the Dutch painters, of whom he has been a diligent student : his pencilling is extremely delicate, and in his drawings—for they are more than mere sketches—he represents as much of colour and pictorial effect as black and white, aided by tint, will convey. The subjects are carefully studied and arranged, and form complete pictures.

JOSEPH NASH'S forthcoming volume will illustrate the Domestic Life and Architecture of England in the reign of Emzanmni and JAMES the First : the fine old halls will be peopled by groups illustrating the

pursuits, style of living, and costume of the tune. This is a happy idea, and, from one or two proof-plates we have seen, the execution is equally felicitous : the warmth of old English hospitality and the brightness of daylight are once more shed lover mansions now deserted except by the curious visitors who come to gaze on the wrecks of time and altered customs. Every view is an animated scene, interesting as a picture of national manners and habits, and full of information to the archieolo- gist and the architect, besides being beautiful as a work of art. This bids fair to be the most popular hook of the season. The beautiful qualities of the "stump style" will he strikingly apparent in this work.

Peour is finishing the Second Volume of his Sketches; which, in- stead of being merely printed on tinted paper, with the whites laid on by hand, as the first was, will be printed with the tint and raised lights—an improvement that will be duly estimated by comparison with the first volume. France and Switzerland and Italy supply the subjects ; consisting of picturesque bits of crumbling architecture, and more extensive views of old cities, sketched in the massive and vigo- rous style, with broad effects of light and shade, for which PROUT is famous.

IS volume of Architectural Antiquities, chiefly in France. by Mr. Boys, an artist of talent and experience, though hitherto little known in this country, will present the novel feature of an imitation of sepia drawings heightened with colour, produced by the union of three tints in each impression. The beautiful effect may be judged of on a small scale by HARDINC'S lithographic file-similes of Lsxoseen's sketches of Deer- stalking, that illustrate Mr. SCROPE'S book on that subject. The ab- sence of black from the impression, the cool tone being supplied by

blue, gives a warmth and richness that effectually put out of view all appearance of a print produced by mechanical means.

A series of elaborate and minutely accurate Views tf. Edinburgh and its Vicinity, by Mr. SWARBEECK, (a name new to art,) must be added to the list.

Painters of eminence are beginning to turn their attention to

tint-lithography, which the introduction of the use of the stump has made so readily available to their bands. We may mention Carrea- MOLE for one ; having seen a trial proof of a sketch dashed off by him with great rapidity, that for painter-like effect transcends any thing hitherto done in this style. The great advantage of this mode is, that

the artist being so completely master over his materials, you have his feeling in every touch ; and the manner of each impression is as various as in the drawing.