Doorway of the Refectory, Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire 1803 John Sell Cotman 1782-1842 Pencil and watercolour on laid paper © Tate, London 2002. Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996

Room 8 Doorway of the Refectory, Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire Cotman used the same type of paper preferred by Girtin. This helped him to achieve similar broad effects in his studies. Like Girtin, Cotman also often coloured his sketches on the spot in a limited range of colours. He also followed the older artist's lead in studying sometimes hidden corners of ruins such as Rievaulx, choosing a low viewpoint to enhance the impact.