In
1946, at the suggestion of Arthur Lismer, Eleanor Milne travelled on the
last crossing of the Aquitania to London, England, intending to
study under the illustrator Eric Gill. When she
arrived, she discovered that Eric Gill had died, but due to the war this
news had not reached her in Montréal. Milne was directed by a publisher
to the London County Council* College of Graphic Art,
where she was accepted based on the merits of her portfolio. She studied
engraving, life drawing, composition and book illustration, following the
school’s rigid regime of workdays from 9 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.
During this time Milne had the opportunity to study with the illustrator John Farleigh, whom she credits as one of her greatest artistic influences. While studying Milne supported herself through sales of her watercolours and by gardening. She had originally been interested in pursuing book illustration, but through meetings with journal editors she realized that book illustration was waning in popularity due to developments in photography. During this period Milne first saw bronze casting being done in foundries she visited. She travelled to the continent and experienced first-hand the severity of the aftermath of WWII. Milne also had the opportunity to view examples of Romanesque and Gothic art and architecture. In 1947 a lengthy illness forced Eleanor Milne to return to Montréal, where she was about to enter into her career as a sculptor.
*The London County Council ran five art schools in London, each specializing in a different aspect of art. The most famous was the Slade School, which taught the "fine arts" of portraiture and sculpture. The schools were designed for people of any income level, with tuition fees of 35 pounds per annum in 1946.