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But Lord, there is a lot to learn. Paint is the most temperamental, erratic medium. You can't tell what it is going to do next. There is an idea that using turpentine makes it dry quickly, and oil keeps it wet. But that never works. - the stuff will hand you the double-cross every time. Today my whole canvas was so "tacky" that there wasn't one spot I could paint on after twelve o'clock.

It must have been great to see Rodin surrounded by his works, and to hear him talk. He sure is a grand old man.

Your saying that Bartlett gave you hell reminds me to tell you that I think most people are dead wrong in the way they give criticisms. I am not going to say this because Tarbell has been lighting into me lately, for he hasn't. People don't use enough psychology in criticising. They don't seem to try to get inside of the head of the man who is doing the thing. If they did they would help you much more, and help themselves too because they would see why such and such a thing was done wrong or right as the case might be. If you come right down to the tacks the person who can best get at another's point of view will go farthest in any of the arts.  Take Shakespeare.

Gee, I would like to see some of your stuff and to show you mine. We are pretty near ripe to "do" each others likenesses now. Remember how I used to say we ought to wait for that. We'll do it yet.

Glad you see something of Smith. He is a corking fellow and paints damn well. Don't you worry about any "coldness" his work may have. Hell get away from that soon, and his work has a very solid foundation on which to build.  

Have no plans now, but hope to be in Paris for a while at least by the middle of June. When you get your new studio send me the address - printed out and with a Christian pen, if you can get one.  
Good luck, old fellow.

Yours
H.M.H.Jr.