Page:Cyclopedia of Painting-Armstrong, George D (1908).djvu/326



The painter who wishes to obtain a correct knowledge of his trade should, in the first place, endeavor to make himself acquainted with the nature and properties of the materials he is constantly using.

The ambition of a man of intelligence should be to rise above the position of a mere drudge, and he should, therefore, by availing himself of the opportunities of culture at his command, endeavor to develop the faculties with which Almighty Providence has endowed him.

Nor will the time spent in the acquirement of knowledge be wasted, for good workmanship will always command its price, and thus a painter, who improves his scientific and technical education, will without fail rise in the social scale, with benefit to himself, his family and his country.

The facility with which ready-prepared colors can now be obtained has no doubt led to a neglect of information as to their composition or special qualities, a small amount of knowledge only being picked up in the course of practice from the men with whom each painter is associated, and who have obtained their own information in a similar unreliable manner.

It is not here intended to advocate the idea that each workman should, as in olden times, manufacture his own colors and varnishes; the rate of wages as compared with the expenses at the present day wholly forbid such a system; but it is strongly urged that the painter should know the qualities of the various substances he employs in order that he may judge of their fitness for every kind of work, and likewise that he should be able to prepare them if circumstances require him to do so.