Edwards retired early from his legal career and devoted himself to art and music. He took up watercolour painting in 1860. At classes he met Matthew White Ridley and through him, Whistler, Fantin-Latour and Legros. ‘The Society of Three’ friends made regular visits to the Edwards’ house at Sunbury. In 1860-61, on a visit, Legros taught Edwards to etch, who subsequently bought his own press. In August 1861 Whistler and Haden went to Sunbury to visit Fantin who was staying with the Edwards. They spent several days etching, and Edwards worked two plates into ‘portraits’ of Fantin. They became close friends and Ruth Edwards acted as Fantin’s agent in England.