DOI Heft:
No. 73 (April 1899)
DOI Artikel:Baldry, Alfred Lys: Some sketches by Alfred Parsons, A.R.A.
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19231#0164
Some Sketches by Alfred Parsons, A.R.A.
daries; he will be always
ready to adapt himself
to circumstances and to
modify his methods to fit
new demands that are
made upon him ; and by
this refusal to bind his
practice down to follow a pen and ink sketch by Alfred parsons, a.r.a.
set direction, he will keep
his impressions clear and
his capacity to observe free from distortion. rather to the mechanism of his professional method
It is from such a man that we expect the highest than to the expression of his artistic aspirations. A
type of practice in the way of sketches. What he sketch is to him a declaration of faith in Nature, an
produces as pictorial notes are neither mere state- avowal of his acceptance of a direct revelation
ments of plain facts, nor simply working drawings which she has vouchsafed to him, and a proof of
executed to help him in the completion of a scheme the closeness of the communion that he holds with
for which all the plan has been arranged and laid her. He values it because he feels that in nothing
down before the idea of going to nature occurred to else can he state so frankly what he believes, or
him. He is not like the scientific painter, who make so evident the manner of his attack upon
makes studies and regards a sketch as a frivolity artistic problems; but he views it as chiefly
without serious purpose. On the contrary, the important because it is a test of his power to grasp
receptive artist puts his whole soul into his sketches, and record the elusive charms of the mistress whom
and views careful and elaborated studies somewhat he adores.
as necessary evils, as obligations imposed upon him Necessarily the artist who can in his sketches
by the exigencies of picture-painting. Studies must approach the highest level of expressive perform-
be made if a large canvas has to be produced and ance must be blessed not only with a particular
the spontaneity of the small sketch is to be sug- mental and visual capacity, but, as well, with
gested in the finished work ; but they hold in his something more than the usual skill in craftsman-
mind a none too exalted rank as concessions to the ship. He must be able to realise promptly and
popular demand for detail, and as appertaining certainly what he has to do, and the record of his
observations must be made
without hesitation or inde-
cision. For this a training
of a special type is needed,
an educational method
that gives facility of hand-
ling and rapidity of state-
ment without substituting
mechanical conventions
for sensitive appreciation.
To know instinctively what
are the fittest things to
reproduce is partly a gift,
but it is developed and
made certain by constant
study and comparison;
and speed in execution
comes only by indefatig-
able practice and by
strenuous searching after
directness and simplicity.
The most important power
of all, that of giving with
lead pencil sketch by alfred parsons, a.r.a. due economy of labour a
150
daries; he will be always
ready to adapt himself
to circumstances and to
modify his methods to fit
new demands that are
made upon him ; and by
this refusal to bind his
practice down to follow a pen and ink sketch by Alfred parsons, a.r.a.
set direction, he will keep
his impressions clear and
his capacity to observe free from distortion. rather to the mechanism of his professional method
It is from such a man that we expect the highest than to the expression of his artistic aspirations. A
type of practice in the way of sketches. What he sketch is to him a declaration of faith in Nature, an
produces as pictorial notes are neither mere state- avowal of his acceptance of a direct revelation
ments of plain facts, nor simply working drawings which she has vouchsafed to him, and a proof of
executed to help him in the completion of a scheme the closeness of the communion that he holds with
for which all the plan has been arranged and laid her. He values it because he feels that in nothing
down before the idea of going to nature occurred to else can he state so frankly what he believes, or
him. He is not like the scientific painter, who make so evident the manner of his attack upon
makes studies and regards a sketch as a frivolity artistic problems; but he views it as chiefly
without serious purpose. On the contrary, the important because it is a test of his power to grasp
receptive artist puts his whole soul into his sketches, and record the elusive charms of the mistress whom
and views careful and elaborated studies somewhat he adores.
as necessary evils, as obligations imposed upon him Necessarily the artist who can in his sketches
by the exigencies of picture-painting. Studies must approach the highest level of expressive perform-
be made if a large canvas has to be produced and ance must be blessed not only with a particular
the spontaneity of the small sketch is to be sug- mental and visual capacity, but, as well, with
gested in the finished work ; but they hold in his something more than the usual skill in craftsman-
mind a none too exalted rank as concessions to the ship. He must be able to realise promptly and
popular demand for detail, and as appertaining certainly what he has to do, and the record of his
observations must be made
without hesitation or inde-
cision. For this a training
of a special type is needed,
an educational method
that gives facility of hand-
ling and rapidity of state-
ment without substituting
mechanical conventions
for sensitive appreciation.
To know instinctively what
are the fittest things to
reproduce is partly a gift,
but it is developed and
made certain by constant
study and comparison;
and speed in execution
comes only by indefatig-
able practice and by
strenuous searching after
directness and simplicity.
The most important power
of all, that of giving with
lead pencil sketch by alfred parsons, a.r.a. due economy of labour a
150