would be rather bewildered in making a selection, and without assistance would probably make an unfortunate choice, resulting in disappointment and consequent discouragement.
While not advocating the use of too many colors in the beginning,--believing it is well to become thoroughly familiar with the possibilities of the few at first employed, --it is recommended that a sufficient quantity and variety be provided for the subject painted. Better results are obtained from a full palette than by trying to make one color serve the purpose of two, generally an unsuccessful and unsatisfactory effort.
The amateur will not at first fully realize the necessity or importance of keeping colors in their purity. This quality is easily lost ; and when once the painting assumes a "muddy" look , it is impossible to restore it.
Mineral colors cannot be treated in the same fashion as oil or water colors : for it is possible, by a subsequent repainting with either of these pigments, to restore a lost tint, and correct inaccuracies in drawing, but it is not so with mineral paints. They are all more or less transparent, and every wash in succession is certain to be influenced by the previous ones underneath.. Light tints may easily be deepened, but a dark tone can not be made lighter.
