A number of Victorian artists codified their thoughts on aesthetics in lectures delivered at the Royal Academy, in the celebrated tradition of Joshua Reynolds. Amongst these the addresses of Lord Leighton and the lectures of George Clausen stand out especially; but there are also lectures and speeches given by Edward John Poynter, William Morris, and Sir William Blake Richmond (I think).
Of course we also can't overlook Harold Speed's brilliant treatise on drawing, painting, composition, etc., nor D.S. MacColl's insightful rebuttals of Roger Fry and the Post-Impressionists (What is Art?, Penguin Books).
As for contemporary artists, Tony Ryder's master Ted Seth Jacobs has written an intriguing manual on drawing that incorporates elements of Buddhist thought with academy training.
regards,
Iian
