This grey wash drawing is almost certainly a preliminary drawing for a drypoint engraving and probably dates from the mid-1920s. On the right-hand edge the holes of Wyllie's pinboard can be seen. This device enabled him to work on wet, tightly stretched paper. The lines ruled around the main subject are to define the size and proportions of the metal plate from which the edition of prints will eventually be printed. The next stage is to transfer the design to the plate prior to the process of drypoint engraving. Wyllie engraved the design directly onto the metal plate using a variety of tools, including a sharp pointed instrument called a burin.