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The experience of which I speak is not limited to ascertaining the uses of materials already known, although that is important, but includes several valuable Discoveries, both in regard to new Materials, and improved modes of employing the old; together with many facilities in the modes of proceeding in dead coloring and finishing a Picture: and further, that these Notes are not the obscure recollections of past conception or doubtful practice; but the fresh and bona fide memoranda of the Painting Room, revised in the evening. My eldest Daughter, an Artist of some talent, had often urged me to commit to writing the results of my experience, which was but partially done, until a second marriage gave me a Pupil whose love of painting & zeal for improvement constantly drew from the store house of my memory, for instant use, what else might have been forever lost.

[[strikethrough]] Prior to my visit to Europe, for the purpose of preparing myself for the study of materials of art, I went through a course of Chemistry under Professor Woodhouse — and ever since have spared no pains to repeat every known process, and to carry on an extensive course of comparative experiments of my own suggestions, several of which have resulted in the most fortunate manner. [[/strikethrough]]

Instead of endeavouring to reduce these notes into a regular scheme of System of painting, I have thought it best to let them remain as distinct an obvious Axioms of lessons as they occurred; because the [[strikethrough]] only [[/strikethrough]] occupation of the Artist is not so much in carrying on a System, as in doing some particular thing, as a [[strikethrough]] component [[/strikethrough]] part of his daily business, according to ever varying circumstances — and the instruction he [[strikethrough]] may desire[[/strikethrough]] wants is to learn how to do the thing he is about. It is to be presumed that he has begun with some general knowledge of Painting, having his Easel, Palette, Brushes, Canvas &c. with some [[strikethrough]] [[g?]] [[/strikethrough]] known information concerning Colours, oils & varnish, such as is generally known, or may be learned in the ordinary Treatises on Painting. These notes are to assist his judgment, remove his doubts, and encrease his means. To these I have added some quotations from other authors, when I have met with sentiment expressed to my mind, calculated to benefit the student.