Day 0076

Another effort with the silver point, this time after a Raphael study. It's a work in progress. I love working with the metal-point. Beside from being so delicate, soft and responsive, it's also incredibly practical -- the wire doesn't ever need sharpening, it doesn't smudge, there is no lead to break or ink to run out. Very portable, neat and convenient for an itinerant lifestyle. All you need is to prepare some sheets of paper and you're ready to go.

Spent some time in the Fitzwilliam Museum today, enjoyed looking at the collection which is surprisingly comprehensive, with a fairly representative sample of second-rate works of many big-name artists. This is what I love about regional galleries. You get to appreciate just how good the great artists really are by virtue of contrast with the next best, or their own non-masterpiece quality work. I particularly enjoyed the Rembrandt etchings and the current 1816 print exhibition. It's great to be attuned to look at line quality and to think about the challenges of working with materials that you can't erase or lighten.

Saw a very mediocre play in London tonight, which was nevertheless worthwhile in that it served to heighten my appreciation for good work even more. It's good to be reminded of just how dreadful mediocrity is. It sharpens the appetite for genius, reminds you of how rare and precious it is to see something truly special. Just as good art needs to be offset against a background of bad art to really shine.