What a splendid thing watercolor is to express atmosphere and distance, so that the figure is surrounded by air and can breathe in it

I like to be surrounded by splendid things.

Those Dutchmen had hardly any imagination or fantasy, but their good taste and their scientific knowledge of composition were enormous.

In spite of everything I shall rise again: I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing.

If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.

I wish they would only take me as I am.