Page:Logic Taught by Love.djvu/97

93 normal health, and apply it to work containing some principle of design. But, so far as I have discovered, no one seems able to acquire it except by working, at first, at random; and either during illness, or when worried or fatigued. No one can possibly acquire it except by keeping the first few attempts by her for a long time, and working patiently and repeatedly over the same ground. The acquring of skill is much facilitated by the following method.

During the first crude colouring, think freely and strongly of exciting subjects. (This would be dangerous, but for the correction to be presently indicated.) Think of some exciting topic before choosing a colour; and, while using that colour, try to register on the memory, in connection with that particular silk, the thoughts present during its selection. When looking at a crude spot for the purpose of correction, recall the thoughts registered on it; and, before choosing the silk to correct with, try to formulate what some person, who totally disagrees with the worker, would say on the special point associated with that spot.

Of course no silly woman would be capable of this vigorous moral exercise. But any one brave enough to subject herself to it, will find health returning and mental vigour increasing at a marvellously rapid rate. Great progress in colour-skill may also be attained by it; but a few simple rules must be adhered to.

Colour freely by the mere sensuous impulse of the eye, thinking meanwhile of something quite different, and paying no heed to any previously learned theories of Art.

Get the form, as much as possible, by the motion of