DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18751#0008
I
4
The study of appropriate figures for the embellishment of these scenes
has not been followed with equal ardour: hence many whose taste is dis-
played in the representation of landscape, lose their credit by the intro-
duction of groups of figures that are greatly inferior to their well-painted
designs. To remedy this defect in some measure, these groups have
been formed : their costumes, characters, and general employments have
been attended to; which may not alone furnish subjects to compose groups
from, but may also lead the student to select figures of a similar class in
nature, from which they may make their own original studies.
It has not been the object of the author of this work to represent
elegant forms, or to aim at correct drawing; his intention has been, sim-
ply to sketch the prominent character and habits of the rustic. Those
young students who desire to excel in painting groups of figures in their
landscapes with original feeling, may commence by drawing from the
etchings here offered, and may derive much improvement by contrasting
their dresses by the application of such colours as are usually exhibited
in great variety by persons whose attire is regulated by no rules of taste.
Those who travel will improve their knowledge in these matters, by mark-
ing in a common-place book the contrasts which they may find in con-
templating the dress of this class of people in the towns and villages
where they may chance to stop: this practice will be attended with no
trouble. Reference to such memoranda, in the painting-room, readily
furnishes the mind with what it otherwise might seek for very long, or
perhaps in vain. In London, or other populous towns, where there is a
general uniformity of dress, these necessary observations cannot be made.
It has long been the practice of those who make sketches of views
from'nature, to leave the embellishment of figures, animals, &c. to a fu-
ture period, fancying that groups for this purpose can be composed at
leisure: this practice is erroneous. It is highly essential to sketch
figures, animals, or other objects, to embellish the design, upon the
4
The study of appropriate figures for the embellishment of these scenes
has not been followed with equal ardour: hence many whose taste is dis-
played in the representation of landscape, lose their credit by the intro-
duction of groups of figures that are greatly inferior to their well-painted
designs. To remedy this defect in some measure, these groups have
been formed : their costumes, characters, and general employments have
been attended to; which may not alone furnish subjects to compose groups
from, but may also lead the student to select figures of a similar class in
nature, from which they may make their own original studies.
It has not been the object of the author of this work to represent
elegant forms, or to aim at correct drawing; his intention has been, sim-
ply to sketch the prominent character and habits of the rustic. Those
young students who desire to excel in painting groups of figures in their
landscapes with original feeling, may commence by drawing from the
etchings here offered, and may derive much improvement by contrasting
their dresses by the application of such colours as are usually exhibited
in great variety by persons whose attire is regulated by no rules of taste.
Those who travel will improve their knowledge in these matters, by mark-
ing in a common-place book the contrasts which they may find in con-
templating the dress of this class of people in the towns and villages
where they may chance to stop: this practice will be attended with no
trouble. Reference to such memoranda, in the painting-room, readily
furnishes the mind with what it otherwise might seek for very long, or
perhaps in vain. In London, or other populous towns, where there is a
general uniformity of dress, these necessary observations cannot be made.
It has long been the practice of those who make sketches of views
from'nature, to leave the embellishment of figures, animals, &c. to a fu-
ture period, fancying that groups for this purpose can be composed at
leisure: this practice is erroneous. It is highly essential to sketch
figures, animals, or other objects, to embellish the design, upon the