Letter 151 Etten, c. 12 October 1881
Dear Theo,
As the whole family is writing to you again, I too enclose a little note. I certainly hope you are well, and will be able to find a half-hour to write me again.
Now I will tell you what I have been doing since I wrote you last.
In the first place, two large drawings (crayon and a little sepia), pollard willows �somewhat like the sketch below [JH0048].
Then another one, vertical, of the road to Leur. I also had a model again a few times, a digger and a basket weaver. And then last week I received from Uncle in Prinsenhage a paintbox which is still very good,
certainly good enough to begin on (it is Paillard’s paint). I am very glad to have it.
I at once started to make a kind of watercolour, like the sketch below [JH0049].
[The second sketch in the above picture was drawn here.]
I am very happy to get models. I am also trying to get a horse and a donkey.
That thick Ingres paper I mentioned is especially good for painting in watercolour, and it is much cheaper than any other. Still, I am not in a hurry for it because I brought a supply from The Hague, but alas, it’s plain white.
Well, you see I am hard at work.
Uncle goes to The Hague tomorrow and will perhaps talk over with Mauve the question of my going up to see him again.
And now adieu. I have walked very far today and am very tired, but I would not let the letter go without enclosing a word.
I hope things are well with you, a handshake in thought,
Yours sincerely, Vincent