When tracings of a more durable character are required they are made on linen, which for this purpose has a highly glazed surface on which the ink will not always run equally. This can be rectified by lightly rubbing the surface with French chalk and by adding a little ox gall to the ink. The latter is a useful agent in counteracting any greasiness of surface and is often necessary in colour work.
Conclusion
The stimulus of competition is always healthy, and the necessity to attract has resulted generally in raising the standard, notably in forms of advertisement. The designer has not only to keep pace with modern conditions, but in some phases of work has also to anticipate future demand.
Students are too often infected with the phase of the moment, or by the work of some distinguished exponent. This is quite natural, and to some extent such emulation may be condoned, but if it becomes an obsession it is fatal to the development of individualism. It is desirable, indeed commendable, for students to be interested in contemporaneous work; but they should realise that personality will never be achieved by imitation, though emulation and experiment are legitimate methods of training.
Art training is largely in that of technique, consisting chiefly of the handling of the tools and mediums involved. It is obvious that when this technique is successfully acquired it implies a high standard of craftsmanship. This is essential, but personality is of greater importance and its development depends upon the individual. Some who have nothing personal to express may be capable of attaining great facility in various mediums, but stop at the imitative, and though this may be lucrative, no great artistic distinction is possible.
If personality is latent it will develop quite unconsciously, and the endeavour of the student should be to see, understand and express the subject of study or idea with sincerity, regardless of any current phase however interesting. In this way only can be attained the personal attitude and expression that really constitutes the interest in all forms of art.
INDEX
[A], [B], [C], [D], [E], [F], [G], [H], [I], [J], [K], [L], [M], [N], [O], [P], [R], [S], [T], [U], [V], [W].