“Without atmosphere a painting is nothing.”

“Painting is the grandchild of Nature.”

“Practise what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know.”

“Practice what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know.”

“Life etches itself onto our faces as we grow older, showing our violence, excesses or kindnesses.”

“Sometimes, dear brother, I know so well what I want. I am quite able to do without God, both in my life and in my painting, but what I cannot do without, unwell as I am, is something greater than myself, which is my life, the power to create.”

“At present I absolutely want to paint a starry sky. It often seems to me that night is still more richly coloured than the day; having hues of the most intense violets, blues and greens. If only you pay attention to it you will see that certain stars are lemon-yellow, others pink or a green, blue and forget-me-not brilliance. And without my expatiating on this theme it is obvious that putting little white dots on the blue-black is not enough to paint a starry sky.”