CHALK PORTRAITS 1955

Regent Street, London.

C/U of a fabric pattern laid out on a piece of fabric in a tailor's workshop. Pan up to show Mr Harry Weatherill, an unconventional tailor who draws portraits on cloth with dressmaker's chalk. L/S of Harry drawing on a piece of tartan. C/U to show that it is a little cartoon face. C/U of the artist. L/S of a large mirror which hangs on the opposite wall. Harry turns around to look at his artwork in the mirror. This helps him to pinpoint any small faults. C/U of the drawing taking shape. It is becoming quite a remarkable piece of art.

C/U of a group of chalks which sit beside the fabric. Narrator observes that "The picture can be made to disappear and the material used - in fact, some people insist on having the same piece." I presume that people commission him to do portraits. It is claimed that this particular drawing is assisting him in visualising the finish of an Ulster style collar (sounds pretty unlikely). A side view of Mr Weatherill shows other portraits standing in the background. The narrator describes his artwork. C/U of a portrait of his daughter on a piece of Tattersall waistcoat cloth. C/U of a self portrait. Another chalk portrait is of one of his own tailors - "an artistic tribute to the profession" states the narrator.

Note: According to paperwork the tailors is called "Messrs Bailey and Weatherill Ltd."