Hi John,

Thomas Couture was a history painter, thinker, and educator working in France during the second half of the 19th century.

He ran a private atelier where many influential artists studied, including Édouard Manet, Henri Fantin-Latour, John La Farge, and Puvis de Chavannes. A talented educator and communicator, he also wrote a book setting forth his techniques and philosophy of art, translated into English as Conversations on Art Methods in 1879. Conversational and charmingly direct, his book is full of useful information even for today's art student, and is well worth the read (it's entertaining too!). Now in the public domain, you can read it onlinehere- below is an excerpt from his chapter on the advice he gave to his young art students on how to cultivate a lifestyle and quality of mind conducive to art-making.

Today's set of classics, particularly in the English-speaking world, has evolved somewhat - few of us read Moliere or Rousseau - but if you'd like some recommendations on the classics from a modern artist, you can visitthis interview with Ken Salaz.

Enjoy today's selection,

BoldBrush Studio Team

"We will suppose you have drawn morning and evening, that you have daubed much canvas, used many colors, and much time has passed. These gymnastic exercises not being very fatiguing, you have been able to cultivate your mind by reading good books; the ancient and our French classics are all good. But as you are to be a painter, I will mention certain works which you can read with profit. Homer, Virgil, Shakespeare, Moliere, Cervantes, Rousseau, Bernardin de Saint Pierre.

In the first three, you will find grand teaching for your art. Homer gives you primitive simplicity, Virgil harmony, Shakespeare passion, Moliere, as you no doubt know, uses the most beautiful language, and clothes truth in the most perfect imagery. Read much; you are young, digestion will be easy.

Live in good company, and cultivate intimacy with young people who are well advanced in art."

"Never wish to appear greater than you are; above all things beware of expressing other people's opinions as if they were your own; that brings ruin; it leads to darkness; dare to be yourself; that will bring you light.

Be truly Christian, cultivate your heart; above all things, be humble; in the art of painting, humility is the greatest strength.

Being prepared by the reading of good books, you will give to your studies the proper direction. Above all things avoid ugliness.

You ought always to carry about with you a small album, in which you can trace beauties that strike you, startling effects, natural poses, etc. Never forget to make yourself into an ant, or a bee; pillage everywhere in order to have an abundant granary, practice composition while you are young, but always with materials drawn from your own observation."

(Excerpt fromConversations on Art Methodsby Thomas Couture)

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