But there are many who do not regard china-decorating at all seriously, but esteem it chiefly as an amusement, and manifest and evident desire to paint china without any preliminary course of study. Various reasons are assigned. Perhaps neither time nor means are at their disposal ; or there may be a lack of inclination to pursue what would inevitably prove uninteresting and irksome if it involved any extra exertion.
Among this class maybe e included the thoughtless creatures who inquire if they "can take Cupids," much the same as if china-painting were something contagious, like the measles, and with about equal solicitude.
They but little realize the value of china-painting as an art. They neither possess, nor desire to cultivate, the special qualifications of the artist ; and their efforts, not being serous, are of necessity limited. Yet if clever, ambitious, and industrious, it is entirely with the limits of the possibilities to acquire a superficial idea of the requirements of art, together with a familiarity of colors, a certain deftness in handling the brush, and to master both technical and mechanical details to a surprising extent, that me be of infinite service, and eventually succeed in producing some prettily and acceptably decorated china.
The average amateur, with conscientious aspirations
