after the Venetian School. ls |) Se 
T may now be permitted to fay, it is difficult, if not im- 
poffible, to conceive a theory more fimple, more beautiful, 
or more true, than that of Sir Jofhua Reynolds. It is cer- 
tainly impoffible to form a practice more fimple, or more 
conformable to that theory, than the one I have defcribed, 
as will be evident on recapitulating the particulars. 
The artift, having determined what hue fhould pervade 
his picture, formed his ground with that colour prepared in 
diftemper: upon this the fubject was drawn, and the darker 
fhades painted in with tranfparent colours, which funk into 
the ground: with pure white he then painted in all the 
lights and demi-tints, and, laftly, glazed in the colours, each 
in its place. Upon applying the varnifh, the darker fhades 
were, as to body, incorporated with the ground; and thus, 
though different in colour, appeared thinner and more tranf- 
parent than any colours could be when Jaid upon any 
ground: the full effet of every colour was brought out, and 
the picture was complete, 
Whoever has been accuftomed to paint, or to mark the 
progrefs of painting in the common way, and will reflect on 
the practice of the method I have defcribed, by artifts who 
had been brought up to it, muft fee that fuch artifts would 
paint with a degree of facility, expedition, and certainty, as 
to effeét, that could never be equalled in the ordinary way 
of painting in oil: befides, it will be evident that an artift 
would not only paint a picture himfelf with more facility, 
but, if be had occafion, could employ a number of fubordi- 
nate artifis upon large works, and put thofe works out of 
hand with more uniformity, as to merit and effect, than if 
he were to employ fnch afhiftants in fimilar works if they 
were to be painted in the common way. 
I am fenfible how little attention will, and perhaps ought 
to be paid to obfervations on painting, if made by thofe who 
are not profeffionally artits: for praGtical men acquire a 
kind of knowledge that oan never be obtained in any ather 
way; but at the fame time they contract prejudices that 
ea 
X 3 often, 
