Robert Henri

Artist

1865-06-24

Quotes by Robert Henri

• Concentrate on a single feature – as, build all toward one eye – make all lines lead toward that eye. (Robert Henri)

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• If a certain activity, such as painting, becomes the habitual mode of expression, it may follow that taking up the painting materials and beginning work with them will act suggestively and so presently evoke a flight into the higher state.

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• The sketch hunter moves through life as he finds it, not passing negligently the things he loves, but stopping to know them, and to note them down in the shorthand of his sketchbook.

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• Art tends toward balance, order, judgment of relative values, the laws of growth, the economy of living – very good things for anyone to be interested in.

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• Get the few main lines and see what lines they call out.

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• Lines are results, do not draw them for themselves. ... Lines give birth to lines. Drawing is not following a line on the model, it is drawing your sense of the thing. ... Make a drawing flow, stopping sometimes, and going on. ... Search for the simple constructive forces, line the lines of a suspension bridge. Get the few main lines and see what lines they call out. ... Have purpose in the places where lines stop.

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• The work of the art student is no light matter. Few have the courage and stamina to see it through. You have to make up your mind to be alone in many ways. We like sympathy and we like to be in company. It is easier than going it alone. But alone one gets acquainted with himself, grows up and on, not stopping with the crowd. It costs to do this. If you succeed somewhat you may have to pay for it as well as enjoy it all your life.

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• Because we are saturated with life, because we are human, our strongest motive is life, humanity; and the stronger the motive back of the line the stronger, and therefore more beautiful, the line will be.

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• A common defect of modern art study is that too many students do not know why they draw.

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• Pretend you are dancing or singing a picture. A worker or painter should enjoy his work, else the observer will not enjoy it.

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• Genius is not a possession of the limited few, but exists in some degree in everyone. Where there is natural growth, a full and free play of faculties, genius will manifest itself.

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• Art is the giving by each man of his evidence to the world. Those who wish to give, love to give, discover the pleasure of giving. Those who give are tremendously strong.

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• Art is, after all, only a trace – like a footprint which shows that one has walked bravely and in great happiness.

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• Color is only beautiful when it means something.

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• The object isn't to make art, it's to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.

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• There is no art without contemplation.

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• Don't worry about your originality. You couldn't get rid of it even if you wanted to. It will stick with you and show up for better or worse in spite of all you or anyone else can do.

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• Do whatever you do intensely.

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• All real works of art look as though they were done in joy.

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• A Curve does not exist in its full power until contrasted with a straight line.

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