

Now comes the actual painting. Look at 

 your models with half-closed eyes, and notice 

 how the whole group strikes you in broad 

 masses. A little thought and care in coin- 

 mcncing, in order to gain a general idea of what 

 }ou are going to do, will be ultimately a great 

 saving of time, giving you also much better 

 results than if you had rushed at your drawing 

 precipitately. Get this general idea expressed 

 in your study before attempting any distraction 

 of detail — this comes later. 



If you are desirous of laying a flat wash 

 over a large surface, I think you will hnd it a 

 good plan first to moisten the whole space 

 that \'ou intend to cover afterwards with 

 colour, with plain water used in a large brush. 



Have your colours ready mixed in a deep di\ision of \'our palette or 

 a clean saucer. This colour must be absolutely well mixed and free 

 from dirt or dust. Some people even go so far as to rub the mixture 

 with a cork to remove all possible grit, but high-class water-colours are 

 generally so beautifull}' ground as to render this precaution unnecessar)'. 



The wet surface of the paper underneath the wash of colour helps the 

 latter to run more freely when we put it on, but of course it must be used 

 a trifle stronger in consetjuence. If it is necessary to put a second wash 

 over the first, be very careful the surface is perfectly dry before 

 attempting to do so. Sometimes a second brush, filled with clean water, 

 is very useful in softening the edges of a flower, and preventing a hard 

 line, when the wash has dried ; but do not overdo this, and thus produce 

 a " woolly " effect ; a little sharpness here and there, so long as it is not 

 hard, is often rather helpful than the reverse. 



Strive earnestly always to make your studies as true to Nature as 

 your gifts and powers will allow. If you are drawing a simple daisy, do 

 your utmost to make the most of its character and form ; do not persuade 

 yourself that a few flat white dabs, distributed evenly round a yellow centre, 

 is an adequate expression of its beauties. Look at a group of the flowers. 

 Do you see two of them exactly alike? One of them is so foreshortened 

 that we only see a side view of it. Notice how the petals, slighth- 

 curved from caly.x to points, give us fascinating little peeps at their 

 under sides, and what careful drawing is necessary to express their form 

 adequately. 



Endeavour in each of your drawings of flowers to make a special 

 study of the character of even the smallest. Do not think that any of 

 these gifts of God can be expressed in a careless or hurried manner. 



103 



