AËRIAL PERSPECTIVE.
Aërial perspective.
It is of vital importance that this be well rendered, the method for obtaining it having already been shown.
The student must remember that he must give the true value to the separate planes of the picture, or it is worthless for reasons already stated. The state of the weather, has, as we have indicated, a wonderful modifying effect on this perspective, and must be carefully studied.
TONE.
Tone.
Of vital importance is the relatively true rendering of tone as already indicated. This is such a subtle subject that no directions can be given for it, and the student can only master the subject by a long and ardent study of nature. He can test his knowledge by his power of criticizing pictures away from nature, for their truth or falsity of tone. The key in which the picture is pitched should always be in keeping with the subject rendered.
COMPOSITION.
Composition.
The objects must be arranged so that the thing expressed is told clearly and directly, in short, the student should try to express his subject as it has never been expressed before. All things not connected with the subject should be removed, and all but the chief thing to be expressed should be carefully subdued. The interest must not be divided, but all must go to help the expression of the motif of the picture. Thus a white patch the size of a threepenny piece may ruin a twelve by ten inch plate, as many a hat, a basket, as many a small article has done; just as a false foot may ruin an otherwise fine stanza. Be most careful how you introduce a detail, it may either make or mar your picture.