READ THE TEXT AND QUESTIONS BELOW. FOR EACH QUESTION, CIRCLE...
Section 3
Read the text and questions below. For each question, circle the letter next to the
correct answer (A, B, C or D)
The painter Craigie Aitchison was born in Scotland. He came to London intending to study law, but
went to art school instead. There he found the traditional drawing classes difficult, but still kept on
painting.
In his late twenties he was given money by the Italian government to study art, and became interested
in early Italian artists, which shows in some of his work. He loved the greens and browns of the Italian
fields and the clear light there, and wanted to put this light into his paintings.
This led him to paint colours thinly one on top of another from light to dark, but he insists he's never
sure what the results will be. He says, 'It's a secret - because I don't know myself. I don't start by
painting yellow, knowing I'm going to put anything on top.' Like most talented people, Aitchison
makes it sound easy. 'Anyone can do the colours - you can buy them. I simply notice what you put the
colours next to.
Unlike some artists, he never does drawings before he starts a painting, as he feels that if he did, he
might get bored and not do the painting afterwards. Instead, Aitchison changes his paintings many
times before they are finished. This explains why his favourite models are people who don't ask to see
their pictures while he's painting them. 'If I feel they're worried and want to look at the painting, I can't
do it.'
Since moving to London years ago, he has not felt part of the Scottish painting scene. He says he is
not interested in following any tradition, but just paints the way he can. However, his work still
influences young British painters.
16. What is the writer trying to do in the text?
A.
describe particular works by Craigie Aitchison
B.
teach readers how to paint like Craigie Aitchison
C.
introduce readers to the artist Craigie Aitchison
D.
explain how Craigie Aitchison has made money from painting
17. What can the reader learn about Aichison from the text?
A.
He works in a different way from other artists.
B.
He often gets bored with his paintings.
C.
He improved his drawing by going to art school.
D.
He did some paintings for the Italian government.
18. What does Aitchison say about his use of colour?
A.
He likes starting with the darkest colours first.
B.
He knows the colours he's aiming for when he begins.
C.
He prefers to paint with yellows, greens, and browns.
D.
He understands how different colours work together.
19. Aitchison prefers models who don't
A.
keep talking to him while he's working.
B.
ask him about his strange method of working.
C.
worry about how long the work will take.
D.
feel anxious to see the work as it's developing.
20. What might a visitor at an exhibition say about Aichison's work?
A.
B.
I love his recent paintings of
You can still see the influence of his
Scotland, which are very
trip to Italy in some of these pictures.
similar to a number of other
Scottish painters
C.
D.
wonder if his law training helps him at
You can tell he spent a lot of
time drawing the picture before
all, especially in selling his work.
he started painting.