The Race to the Finish

Perspectives from The Artist's Road

Green Sky Landscape Oil Charles Webster Hawthorne*

“Paintings are to teach man to see the glory of human visual existence. “
- Henry Hensche

Most students of painting want to rush to make a complete picture as soon as possible. There can be a sense of accomplishment in this that encourages one to keep going. However, if the painting falls short of the ambition for it, the result can be disillusionment and discouragement. This is why it is so helpful to have a good teacher nearby who can set reasonable expectations and who can help the student to develop at a pace commensurate with their skills.

The late Henry Hensche was aware of this need and encouraged his students by laying out the artistic road ahead in logical, step by step terms. He knew that painting is the physical expression of seeing, and that seeing as a painter must be learned.

Unfortunately, many students are unaware that they can’t see very…