John Constable: Learning from Failure

"Dedham Lock and Mill" by John Constable

"In 1802, John Constable's name appeared for the first time in the catalogue of the Exhibition of the Royal Academy as an exhibitor; the picture being merely called 'Landscape.' I think it likely however, he may have sent pictures for exhibition in 1800 or 1801, or in both years, which were rejected.

I have heard him say that under some disappointment, I think it was the rejection at the Academy, of a view of Flatford Mill, he carried the picture to the president of the Academy, Benjamin West, who said, 'Don't be disheartened, young man, we shall hear of you again. You must have loved nature very much before you could have painted this.' 

He then took a piece of chalk, and showed Constable how he might improve the chiaroscuro by some additional touches of light between the stems and branches of the trees saying, 'Always remember, sir, that light and shadow never stand still.' 

Mr. West, at the same time, said to him, 'Whatever object you are painting, keep in mind its prevailing character rather than its accidental appearance (unless in the subject there is some peculiar reason for the latter), and never be content until you have transferred that to canvas. In your skies, for instance, always aim at brightness, although there are states of the atmosphere in which the sky itself is not bright. I do not mean that you are not to paint solemn or lowering skies, but even in the darkest effects there should be brightness. Your darks should look like the darks of silver, not of lead or of slate.'

This advice was not addressed to an inattentive ear."

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Life and Letters of John Constable, R.A." by Charles Robert Leslie.)