 Although Trotter was a nearly self-taught artist, her mother believed her talent exceptional, and in 1876, she sent some of Lilias' drawings to art critic and social philosopher John Ruskin while all three were staying in Venice—the latter while recovering from the early death of Rose La Touche, a young pupil to whom he had proposed marriage.Ruskin praised Trotter's artistic skill, and she became an informal student and a good friend despite the disparity in their ages.Ruskin told Trotter that if she would devote herself to her art "she would be the greatest living painter and do things that would be Immortal."