J-Xij^'ii'iJ Gi5i-Jrliiiid 



but as it is our business to paint it, and not merely 

 to study it from a sentimental standpoint, let us proceed 

 to business. 



The shades of colour in the blossoms present a 

 great variety, some, generally those longest in bloom, 

 arc quite pink, and so are many of the opening buds. 



I am generally rather averse to the use of Chinese 

 white in my floral studies, because, as a rule, it gives 

 a dull opaque look when mi.ved with other colours, and 

 so loses that transparency of effect which is a great 

 thing to aim at in flower-painting. But in the forget- 

 me-not I have found a touch of white mixed with the 

 blue very helpful in getting this exact tone of colour. 

 Cobalt used pure is too dark, and even when diluted 

 with water and a slight touch of Antwerp blue added, 

 it is not very satisfactory ; the touch of white, used with 

 discretion, will give us what we want. Do not forget 

 to give full prominence to the lovely little touch of 

 white, almost like a halo, surrounding the yellow centre. 

 The wallflower is another great spring favourite of 

 mine. What is more beautiful to behold than a clump 

 of them growing against a crumbling, old grey wall ? 

 Or, if we wish for an indoor study, put some blooms, 

 in all the glory of their colourings of yellow, orange, red 

 and brown, in an old blue china bowl, and note the effect I 



I must plead guilty to a personal preference for these warm, rich, 

 russet colourings in the old-fashioned varieties we have seen and 

 admired in cottage gardens since our childhood, above the fanciful 

 magenta shades introduced of late years by the up-to-date florist. 



Indian yellow, cadmium and rose madder, bright and pure as we can 

 'Tct them, give the right tones, with a touch of crimson alizarin here and 

 there, and even perhaps a little burnt sienna. Notice the deep purplish 

 hue of the sepals enclosing the unopened buds, and do not forget to tr\- 

 to reproduce the velvety effect of the petals : a slight touch of cobalt 

 delicately washed over the lights will sometimes help to give this " bloom. 

 The long leaves clo.sely embracing the sturdy stems are beautiful 

 too ; observe the grey reflected lights on their upper surfaces, in con- 

 trast to the brilliant green they present wlicn the light is passing througli 

 their substance. 



The wallflower is not strictly indigenous to our islands, but it has 

 so acclimati.sed and adapted itself since its first coming in medi.x-vai 

 times that we almost regard it as a native, especially as it owns a big 

 family of cousins who are aborigines, being a member of the same 

 order as some of our most useful vegetables, including the cabbage, 

 mustard, cress, and even turnijj. 



Oh. thi- ■.» 

 Whi-rcthroutfh Ih 

 In chain of nKacIc 



Uey of deep t<rass, 



nmcr stream doth pass, 

 nd stin pool, 

 From misty morn to evening cool ; 

 Where the black ivy creeps and twines 

 O'er the dark-armed, red-trunked pines. 



U-iliiaiii Morris. 



32 



