In contrast to lithographs made directly on lithographic stones, images for transfer are drawn in lithographic crayon on paper that is specifically coated to allow the drawings to be transferred to stones for professional printing. Around 1890 James McNeill Whistler encouraged Roussel to take up the technique, and the younger artist created a small number of transfer lithographs with the assistance of Whistler’s printers, Thomas and Thomas Robert Way. The Ways also provided the specially prepared paper.