Leitch was Queen Victoria's drawing master from 1846 until his retirement in 1865 and also taught the royal children. These three small drawings are a lesson for the Queen in painting a ruined abbey in moonlight, accompanied by detailed instructions. The first sketch consists of three tones of colour wash, for which Leitch suggests, 'After the outline is done – wash the Whole over with yellow ochre – let the work dry then'; the second sketch has shadows added, using 'French blue burnt umber & the slightest tinge of purple lake'; and third sketch shows the addition of further colour and the tones strengthened. Painted for Queen Victoria