Letter 01/12/1882 - by Vincent van Gogh

So although I meant to write to you in more detail about what happened at home, and to try and explain matters as they appear to me, and although I would also like to talk to you about a few other subjects, I have no time for it now, and I think it would be better if I write to you about drawing again.

Mauve tells me that I will spoil at least some ten drawings before I learn how to wield a brush well. But beyond that point is a better future, so I carry on working with as much sang-froid as I can gather together and will not let myself be put off, even by my mistakes.

It goes without saying that one can't master the technique in a day.

This is the subject of the large drawing, but I am doing it in a hurry and the small sketch is atrocious.

I am planning to make a string of small pen drawings in between other dribs and drabs, but in a different style from that large one last summer. A little more caustic and angrier.