Camille Pissarro Quotes

The subject should be observed more for shape and color than for drawing... precise drawing is dry and hampers the impression of the whole, it destroys all sensations.

Don't be afraid in nature: one must be bold, at the risk of having been deceived and making mistakes.

Don't be afraid of putting on color, refine the work little by little.

At fifty, that is in 1880, I formulated the idea of unity, without being able to render it. At sixty, I am beginning to see the possibility of rendering it.

It is only by drawing often, drawing everything, drawing incessantly, that one fine day you discover to your surprise that you have rendered something in its true character.

Everything is beautiful, all that matters is to be able to interpret.

All the sorrow, all the bitterness, all the sadness, I forget them and ignore them in the joy of working.

I began to understand my sensations, to know what I wanted, at around the age of forty - but only vaguely.

We are all the subjects of impressions, and some of use seek to convey the impressions to others. In the art of communicating impressions lies the power of generalizing without losing that logical connection of parts to the whole which satisfies the mind.

When you do a thing with your whole soul and everything that is noble within you, you always find your counterpart.

Watercolour is not especially difficult, but I must warn you to steer clear of those pretty English watercolourists, so skilful and alas so weak, and so often too truthful.

I sometimes have a horrible fear of turning up a canvas of mine. I'm always afraid of finding a monster in place of the precious jewels I thought I had put there!

Cover the canvas at the first go, then work at it until you see nothing more to add.

Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.

Paint the essential character of things.

Cover the canvas at the first go, and then work on till you see nothing more to add ... Don't proceed according to rules and principles, but paint what you observe and feel. Paint generously and unhesitatingly, for it is best not to lose the first impression.

Work at the same time on sky, water, branches, ground, keeping everything going on an equal basis... Don't be afraid of putting on colour... Paint generously and unhesitatingly, for it is best not to lose the first impression.

But as I see it, the most corrupt art is the sentimental the art of orange blossoms which make pale women swoon.

It is absurd to look for perfection.

I think when one has talent one finally breaks through; so don't pass up any opportunity to do some work.

God takes care of imbeciles, little children and artists.

I regard it as a waste of time to think only of selling: one forgets one's art and exaggerates one's value.

I remember that, although I was full of fervour, I didn't have the slightest inkling, even at forty, of the deeper side to the movement we were pursuing by instinct. It was in the air!