All together dearie (may I say it) the whole thing is very good

TCD MS 11274/75 folio 2 recto

TCD MS 11274/75 folio 2 recto

[3 April 1917] is totally lacking in yours. This is an awful critique I am writing you dearie. The fact is LS says it is to be “hung” in the Mess. I totally agree but am trying to find fault.
There is much too much orange colour in the lights. The light signals are all colours but emphatically & decidedly not an orange colour scheme or any other colour scheme. As you would see that would defeat the object of light signals which is that of distinctness. And they do not (as you draw them) show up as they go up but only as they break do you see them. You have too many and too confined and do not give the idea of largeness at all. Your picture takes in about 1 company front instead of as it might be that of 1 division at least.
II Part of “critique” Shells excellent Horses tress excellent sky (but not quite the dawn sky) as usual in your pictures very good. Composition (of what you meant not what I meant) Ok. All together dearie (may I say it) the whole thing is very good except the part that affected me & which I want as the “motif” namely the lights.