Page:The Ideas of an Artist - June 1900 - G. Howell-Baker - The Poster, 4 (23), 160-162.pdf/3

162 balance of colour, and some drawings l have seen are apparently on the principle that to go against all the canons of accepted and acknowledged artistic sense is to produce a striking thing. The very fact of its falsity in principle needs no words of mine to condemn it. The good book cover is a poster of the work on the hook in bevis. A thing that is good to look upon can never be ugly, however we may focus our sight, for true art cannot produce else than its likeness of itself, which is the best of a poetical and sensitive eye—it cannot bring forth another nature than itself—it can never offend those better senses that are awakened when looking at a thing that is to become a joy forever.



Another point I wish to touch upon, and which I consider of some importance to the subject, and that is the lettering; good lettering is of the picture a part, and should go hand-in-hand with the whole scheme of technique, colour and composition. Straight-laced printers’ lettering is never suitable to a good design and holds no striking qualities—the freedom of true art abhors it like nature a vacuum. Some of the best lettering for book covers and posters are the American types, and there is an encomium of praise to be awarded to them for many of their covers of to-day.



We can learn from others, our cousins across the sea, France, Germany, Holland, etc., but never let it be said that they taught us an art. As sure as our flag waves supreme everywhere and makes every right-hearted Briton feel better for the thought, so let us transcend in and and furnish the world with a subject for their praise, and a worthy joy for all.

MAY 12, 1900