Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1831 edition. Excerpt: ... ART OF MINIATURE PAINTING. The first consideration for the juvenile Artist and the Amateur is Drawing, which it is indispensable to acquire with some proficiency, before they indulge in the pleasing part of colouring. The fascination of colour is so universal, that the eagerness to commence upon it hinders many from giving drawing its proper attention. Students fancy much practice with the pencil quite unnecessary, but, however great the "desire may be to learn this art, they are rarely so fond of the practice of the pencil, as to continue long enough at it to find their powers in drawing adequate to their practice in colour. Colour is pleasing and impresses the mind--drawing is intense, and considered laborious--without system, to make it inviting and genial. Masters yield to the importunities of pupils, which are too often seconded by their friends, who are as anxious as the young folks to see something more showy than mere pencil or chalk drawings. The generality of masters and mistresses of seminaries, and drawing-masters, both at school and in private teaching, can scarcely venture to continue their pupils any length of time, upon the fundamental principles of the art; it being so necessary, under the influence of general expectation, for them to produce something which shall court the flattery of visitors and connexions, little being thought of such productions as only exhibit those rudiments of form, which alone give propriety to the earliest and the maturest efforts of genius-- outline. It is to be regretted that teachers (of reputation) are not left uninfluenced by these considerations, and might advance their pupils only, at those periods, when their information rendered them truly fit to proceed to the next step in the art....