Howard, Frank: The sketcher's manual: or, the whole art of picture making reduced to the simplest principles by which amateurs may instruct themselves without the aid of a master (London, 1841)

SELECTION OF SUBJECTS. 73

and at the same time to produce an agreeable
effect.

The subjects first chosen should be those
which have natural boundaries, as a clump of
trees, copse, or village, and at such a distance
as shall prevent the details from being con-
spicuous.

They should be represented under the effects
given in the first rule, Chap. II. Sect. I., and
the general forms indicated, without any attempt
at detail. For it should be distinctly understood,
that it is better to be indefinite and near the
truth, than elaborately detailed and incorrect:
and that the student, and the amateur especially,
should be contented to be indefinite until he is
able to be accurate. It required three attempts
by Apelles and Protogenes, when in the height
of their proficiency, to draw a perfect outline ;
need more be said to convince the amateur, that
he cannot be accurate at his first attempt ?

When subjects can be achieved under these
effects with tolerable facility, the sketcher may
represent them nearer to his eye, under the
effects given in the second rule, Chap. II. Sect. II.

E