"Good composition is like a suspension bridge - each line adds strength and takes none away."
About the author
Robert Henri
Artist
Robert Henri was an influential American painter and teacher known for his role in the Ashcan School and his advocacy for artistic individuality.
All quotes by Robert Henri →Same author
More quotes by Robert Henri
"When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressive creature. He becomes interesting to other people. He disturbs, upsets, enlightens, and opens ways for better understanding. Where those who are not artists are trying to close the book, he opens it and shows there are still more pages possible."
"Paint the flying spirit of the bird rather than its feathers."
"The object isn't to make art, it's to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable."
"The work of the art student is no light matter. Few have the courage and stamina to think 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."
"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."