DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0098
68 HISTORY OF ART. [LECT. IV.
reason why I should decline insisting also on neat-
Bess of hand as promoting neatness of person : the
Ladies will attend to this from their habitual neat-
ness ; and the Gentlemen will practice it, by the
Ladies' wishes, and by my advice.
IV. Handling has always in prospect that kind
of character, and force of touch, which gives to each
object its full effect. Force, or strength, of
manner, is not a quality to be despised ; it impresses
the spectator so instantaneously, and (if it be sup-
ported by just thinking) so powerfully, that it seems
very desirable to be able to produce it: now, so far
as a good habit of hand may tend to produce force
in design, 1 think I ought to recommend that habit.
Force is no random effect ; mere black and white,
mere depth of colour, is not force ; it results from
good management, from just opposition, and from
artful combination ; now, in attempting force, we
should always avoid, heaviness, over-coloured parts,
or an over-coloured whole ; they may, at one period,
while the drawing is advancing, seem to produce
force ; but force is much better produced last of all,
by the general effect of the composition ; or a few-
smart touches impressed on proper parts of the
subject.
V. Finishing, high finishing, has many advocates;
there is something in it so pleasing, that most voung
designers attempt it; and some think if they labour
and slave on a subject, they must produce it; others
think if they cover a design all over, they shall cer-
tainly finish it highly. But, we ought to reflect,
that finishing requires the giving a proper effect,
manner,
reason why I should decline insisting also on neat-
Bess of hand as promoting neatness of person : the
Ladies will attend to this from their habitual neat-
ness ; and the Gentlemen will practice it, by the
Ladies' wishes, and by my advice.
IV. Handling has always in prospect that kind
of character, and force of touch, which gives to each
object its full effect. Force, or strength, of
manner, is not a quality to be despised ; it impresses
the spectator so instantaneously, and (if it be sup-
ported by just thinking) so powerfully, that it seems
very desirable to be able to produce it: now, so far
as a good habit of hand may tend to produce force
in design, 1 think I ought to recommend that habit.
Force is no random effect ; mere black and white,
mere depth of colour, is not force ; it results from
good management, from just opposition, and from
artful combination ; now, in attempting force, we
should always avoid, heaviness, over-coloured parts,
or an over-coloured whole ; they may, at one period,
while the drawing is advancing, seem to produce
force ; but force is much better produced last of all,
by the general effect of the composition ; or a few-
smart touches impressed on proper parts of the
subject.
V. Finishing, high finishing, has many advocates;
there is something in it so pleasing, that most voung
designers attempt it; and some think if they labour
and slave on a subject, they must produce it; others
think if they cover a design all over, they shall cer-
tainly finish it highly. But, we ought to reflect,
that finishing requires the giving a proper effect,
manner,