Page:Landscape Painting by Birge Harrison.djvu/207

FEARLESSNESS IN PAINTING often more virtue than a timid truth. My brother, the marine painter, was once asked by a mutual friend to criticise two marines upon which the latter was at work. He went without enthusiasm, for the man had never attempted a sea-piece in his life—and it takes years to understand the ocean. On his return, I asked about it. "Why it was simply astounding," was the reply. "They were false of course. But they were so cheeky that they would convince any one but a marine painter." When you know that this man was color-blind, and that he had compassed success in spite of his handicap, you will understand the kind of courage he dealt in.

Use plenty of pigment also—great "gobs" of it. A well-furnished palette is half the battle. Squeeze out twice as much color as you think you can possibly need, and then use it all. Look [159]