01. Why Paint? - Or the Pictorial View of Life

I would love to paint but I can't draw a straight line! How often has one heard that. The fact that there is the wish to paint is the thing that matters. Painting is not difficult if one just drops the self-consciousness that makes one feel incompetent. Take courage and make a start. Try not to be too self-critical, too anxious to do wonders, too proud, to be just a beginner.

02. Making a Start - Wonderfully vital drawings and paintings by primi­tive peoples have been discovered, which proves that many thousands of years ago the art of drawing was there, innate, in mankind. Everyone can draw, for it is an inherent human trait far more natural than writ­ing. Unfortunately most people lose this power as they grow older, or rather it is overlaid by more com­plicated mental processes.

03. Seeing Things - It may be as well to enlarge upon the rather broad generalizations made previously about the art of seeing life in terms of the particular medium you are using to re-create or express your views. In this case it is the fluid medium of water colors taken from tubes of moist color and used with pointed brushes or, for large washes, flat ones.

04. Oil Paint - Before going on to the art of painting in full oil colors it may be as well to give some details of a medium which lies between water-color painting and oil-color painting proper. This is a medium which has many interesting possibilities. In many ways it is an easier technique than water colors. I myself find it most ad­mirable for quick studies—preliminary tryouts before embarking upon a full oil-color picture.

05. Oils on Canvas - Painting in oils is probably the aim of all who take up sketching. You can give the full representation of any­thing with oil paint (or almost anything, for some of nature's effects are beyond the skill of man, or the range of man-made paint). You can give some of the brilliance of sunlight as in "impressionistic" pictures, or the exact rendering of flowers and fruit, animals, birds, and people, as in the work of the older masters, for you have the full range of tone and density, which, when added to color, gives all that paint can give.

06. Subjects - As I have hinted on previous pages, the selection of a subject is of paramount importance in painting any picture. So often good painting has been spoiled by silly choice of subject. It is quite true that almost any­thing will make a subject for the painter, and I am by no means trying to say that you should select some pic­turesque piece or some sentimental scene.

07. Pastel Color - Working with pastels is not exactly painting, although it is called painting, as a rule. It really is a form of sketch­ing, with color; for one uses solid sticks of color without water or oil. It has proved to be a most interesting me­dium and of late years has become a most vital, alive method of producing works of art, since the great French impressionist artist, Degas, did those wonderful pastels in his late years, when failing health and eyesight made him take to this quick, simple method of work.

08. Twenty Questions - 1st Question: As a complete tyro, who loves pictures, is it worth while for me to try to start painting, irre­spective of age?

Answer: The answer is an immediate "Yes." It is cer­tainly very much worth while, from many points of view. The gift of being able to express oneself in terms of line and color is never completely lacking, but only dormant and overlaid by interest in other things that develop as life goes on. All that is really necessary is the strong wish or desire to paint and draw.

THE END