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drawn, and tints already defined, his execution would be nothing but a crude sketch, not to be corrected, [[crossed-out]] in as much as [[/crossed-out]] as The Nature of Fresco-painting, (as then practised [[practiced]]), forbade retouching tomorrow what had been painted Today. 

Copying. 

Nothing is more common than to hear young artists say that they "cannot copy". This apparently modest confession of inability is [[crossed-out]] always [[/crossed-out]] often tinctured with the vanity of wishing it to be supposed that their genius only permits them the production of original creations; which, on the vulgar mind, is calculated to enhance the dignity of their station; but the uninstructed admirer of genius is not aware that what are called Original Masterpieces of Art are seldom entirely Original efforts; but the result of many deliberate Original, & even borrowed Studies, Copied and Combined by the Master spirit into final excellence by reference to Nature & the great principles and practice of the Art.

No one can speak correctly that cannot copy the manner of speech from one who does; No one can write well that cannot copy from a good writing; No one can be sure to make a good original that cannot copy a good picture; Nor can he methodize his own practice, if he cannot repeat or copy his own work.

The unreasonable prejudice against Copying, has induced some writers of no mean authority, to recommend to young artists, not to copy even good Pictures, but to look into them, & apply their principles to [[crossed-out]] the [[crossed-out]] original imitations of Nature, -when it should be known that the best way to look into a picture is to copy it, and that by this process the Art, in its best periods, has always been learned & perpetuated. What would have become of Sculpture, if the Clay Model & the Plaster Cast could not be copied in Marble? 

The Student of Painting whose object is to learn to paint from Nature, will not confine himself at anytime exclusively to Copying, which is only one of the means of study; but as the Student of Music will first study the principles of his Art, by learning to execute