pencil, under the pretence that _form_ is before all things, make a very
great mistake. Form _is certainly all-important_; one cannot study it
enough; _but_ the greater part of _form_ falls within the province of
the tabooed _brush_. The ever-lasting hobby of _contour_ which belongs
to the drawing material is first the _place_ where the _form_ comes in;
what, however, reveals true knowledge of form, is a powerful, organic,
refined finish of modelling, full of feeling and knowledge--and that is
the affair of the brush.

_Leighton._




MANNER


CIV

Manner is always seductive. It is more or less an imitation of what has
been done already, therefore always plausible. It promises the short
road, the near cut to present fame and emolument, by availing ourselves
of the labours of others. It leads to almost immediate reputation,
because it is the wonder of the ignorant world. It is always accompanied
by certain blandishments, showy and plausible, and which catch the eye.
As manner comes by degrees, and is fostered by success in the world,
flattery, &c., all painters who would be really great should be
perpetually on their guard against it. Nothing but a close and continual
observance of nature can protect them from the danger of becoming
mannerists.