Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things

Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things

Every time I paint a portrait I lose a friend.

Every time I paint a portrait I lose a friend.

Vain is the hope by colouring to display
The bright effulgence of the noontide ray
Or paint read more

Vain is the hope by colouring to display
The bright effulgence of the noontide ray
Or paint the full-orb'd ruler of the skies
With pencils dipt in dull terrestrial dyes.

Lely on animated canvas stole
The sleepy eye, that spoke the melting soul.

Lely on animated canvas stole
The sleepy eye, that spoke the melting soul.

A picture is a poem without words.

A picture is a poem without words.

I mix them with my brains, sir.

I mix them with my brains, sir.

Who sees the human face correctly: the photographer, the mirror, or the painter?

Who sees the human face correctly: the photographer, the mirror, or the painter?

And those who paint 'em truest praise 'em most.

And those who paint 'em truest praise 'em most.

From the mingled strength of shade and light
A new creation rises to my sight,
Such heav'nly read more

From the mingled strength of shade and light
A new creation rises to my sight,
Such heav'nly figures from his pencil flow,
So warm with light his blended colors glow.
. . . .
The glowing portraits, fresh from life, that bring
Home to our hearts the truth from which they spring.