DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18975#0112
74
THE ELEMENTS OF DRAWING
a tree; and you must therefore try to discover some mode
of execution which will more or less imitate, by its own
variety and mystery, the variety and mystery of Nature,
without absolute delineation of detail.
85. Now I have led you to this conclusion by observa-
tion of tree form only, because in that the thing to be
proved is clearest. But no natural object exists which does
not involve in some part or parts of it this inimitableness,
this mystery of quantity, which needs peculiarity of handling
and trick of touch to express it completely. If leaves are
intricate, so is moss, so is foam, so is rock cleavage, so are
fur and hair, and texture of drapery, and of clouds. And
although methods and dexterities of handling are wholly use-
less if you have not gained first the thorough knowledge of
the form of the thing; so that if you cannot draw a branch
perfectly, then much less a tree; and if not a wreath of
mist perfectly, much less a hock of clouds; and if not a
single grass blade perfectly, much less a grass bank; yet
having once got this power over decisive form, you may
safely — and must, in order to perfection of work — carry
out your knowledge by every aid of method and dexterity
of hand.
86. But, in order to hnd out what method can do, you
must now look at Art as well as at Nature, and see what
means painters and engravers have actually employed for
the expression of these subtleties. Whereupon arises the
question, what opportunity you have to obtain engravings ?
You ought, if it is at all in your power, to possess yourself
of a certain number of good examples of Turner's engraved
works: if this be not in your power, you must just make
the best use you can of the shop windows, or of any plates
of which you can obtain a loan. Very possibly, the difh-
culty of getting sight of them may stimulate you to put
them to better use. But, supposing your means admit of
your doing so, possess yourself, hrst, of the illustrated edition
either of Rogers's TYu/i/ or Rogers's and then of
about a dozen of the plates named in the annexed lists.
THE ELEMENTS OF DRAWING
a tree; and you must therefore try to discover some mode
of execution which will more or less imitate, by its own
variety and mystery, the variety and mystery of Nature,
without absolute delineation of detail.
85. Now I have led you to this conclusion by observa-
tion of tree form only, because in that the thing to be
proved is clearest. But no natural object exists which does
not involve in some part or parts of it this inimitableness,
this mystery of quantity, which needs peculiarity of handling
and trick of touch to express it completely. If leaves are
intricate, so is moss, so is foam, so is rock cleavage, so are
fur and hair, and texture of drapery, and of clouds. And
although methods and dexterities of handling are wholly use-
less if you have not gained first the thorough knowledge of
the form of the thing; so that if you cannot draw a branch
perfectly, then much less a tree; and if not a wreath of
mist perfectly, much less a hock of clouds; and if not a
single grass blade perfectly, much less a grass bank; yet
having once got this power over decisive form, you may
safely — and must, in order to perfection of work — carry
out your knowledge by every aid of method and dexterity
of hand.
86. But, in order to hnd out what method can do, you
must now look at Art as well as at Nature, and see what
means painters and engravers have actually employed for
the expression of these subtleties. Whereupon arises the
question, what opportunity you have to obtain engravings ?
You ought, if it is at all in your power, to possess yourself
of a certain number of good examples of Turner's engraved
works: if this be not in your power, you must just make
the best use you can of the shop windows, or of any plates
of which you can obtain a loan. Very possibly, the difh-
culty of getting sight of them may stimulate you to put
them to better use. But, supposing your means admit of
your doing so, possess yourself, hrst, of the illustrated edition
either of Rogers's TYu/i/ or Rogers's and then of
about a dozen of the plates named in the annexed lists.