"INSIST, THEN ON THE BEAUTY OF FORM AND COLOR TO BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPOSITION OF THE LARGEST MASSES, THE FOUR OR FIVE LARGE MASSES WHICH COVER YOUR CANVAS. LET THESE ABOVE ALL THINGS HAVE FINE SHAPES, HAVE FINE COLORS. LET THEM BE AS MEANINGFUL OF YOUR SUBJECT AS THEY CAN POSSIBLY BE. IT IS WONDERFUL HOW MUCH REAL FINISH CAN BE OBTAINED THROUGH THEM, HOW MUCH OF GESTURE AND MODELING CAN BE OBTAINED THROUGH THEIR CONTOURS, WHAT SATISFACTION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THEIR FINE MEASURES IN AREA, COLOR AND VALUE. MOST STUDENTS AND MOST PAINTERS IN FACT RUSH OVER THIS;THEY ARE IN A HURRY TO GET ON TO OTHER MATTERS, MINOR MATTERS."
This paragraph for me has extreme significance.Within the first few paragraphs of THE ART SPIRIT Henri wrote another paragraph just for you and me, and every artist who THINKS:
"The work of the art student is no light matter. Few have the courage and stamina to think it through. You have to make up your mind to be alone in many ways. We like sympathy and we like to be in company. It is easier than going it alone. But alone one gets acquainted with himself, grows up and on, not stopping with the crowd. It costs to do this. If you succeed somewhat you may have to pay for it as well as enjoy it all your life."
Robert Henri's book, THE ART SPIRIT, is still in print, after 90 years.
This paragraph for me has extreme significance.Within the first few paragraphs of THE ART SPIRIT Henri wrote another paragraph just for you and me, and every artist who THINKS:
"The work of the art student is no light matter. Few have the courage and stamina to think it through. You have to make up your mind to be alone in many ways. We like sympathy and we like to be in company. It is easier than going it alone. But alone one gets acquainted with himself, grows up and on, not stopping with the crowd. It costs to do this. If you succeed somewhat you may have to pay for it as well as enjoy it all your life."
Robert Henri's book, THE ART SPIRIT, is still in print, after 90 years.