International studio (21.1903/1904(1904))

71%<? Zw/f/dw (7?/^

Inspiration of the moment, the quick grasp
of subject and decision of expression, must
bear the touch of individuality to a much
more convincing degree than an elaborated
picture in which the vividness of a ßrst
impression is lost in an over-zealous attention
to detail, and in the all-too-studied surface
ßnish.
The coming together week after week of
the same workers, each to dash off in the
mood of the moment an illustration from a
common subject, is in itself stimulating, while
the friendly criticism and Suggestion should
add to a man's stock-in-trade. In a way
the sketch club idea keeps the men always
students, each one being his neighbour's
master, although his criticism takes merely
the form of an exchange of courtesies. Every
member takes a personal interest in every



PORTRAIT OF CECIL AI.DIN
2t)

BY JOHN HASSALL

"AN EARNEST MEMBER OF THE CLUB"
BY LANCE THACKERAY

other man's work, sharing his proud
moments and bemoaning his failures,
for it all must reßect back to the
common centre of interest—the club.
One feels this very strongly in the
exhibitions, when the private-view day
brings together all the members and
the chosen few non-members who are
rated as specially interested in the
sketches and the sketchers. The air is
all a-snap with enthusiasm, and the way
in which one man greets another and
drags him about from canvas to canvas,
would lead one to fancy they were old
friends, long separated, instead of
fellow-workers of a weekly rendezvous.
If any member fails to send in his con-
tribution to the show, there are a good