Sketch Book for the Artist

Acanthus Spinosus

As we LOOK AROUND, our eyes travel and adjust from one point of focus

to another, gathering less distinct information on the way. We never see

everything at once. If an artist changes the pace of their line and focus of

their attention, interfolding points of detail with areas of loose suggestion,

they emulate our experience of seeing. Excessive detail leaves no space for

the eye to rest or imagination to wander. Compare changes of pace and

focus here to the flatter finish of Summer Flowers (see pp. 62-63).