DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20658#0030
J()
OF DRAWING.
straight lines in every direction, and of any required length : for many can draw a straight line
from left to right, but not in any other direction. He should next inure himself to draw large
arches, or segments of circles, in the four principal directions before mentioned ; namely, per-
pendicularly, horizontally, and inclined both to the right and left, using the same precaution as
in drawing the straight lines, and availing himself of the same assistance, viz. drawing a prin-
cipal arc for a guide, with a pair of large compasses, or other fit instrument. This practice will
contribute considerably towards making the use of the pencil familiar; and will enable him, more
than any other method, to draw lines with freedom, for, having acquired the practice of drawing
lines of large dimensions, small ones he will rind perfectly easy : whereas a facility of drawing-
short lines will not in the least qualify the learner to draw one of any considerable length.
With regard to the size of the originals to be copied, it must be observed, that in general, the
larger the figures are, the better, provided they are not larger than the life, both for the facility
with which they are executed, and the improvement they afford the learner. For he will never
gain correct notions of the proportions of the outlines of his figures from those small copies given
in many treatises of this art.
The piece to be copied is to be placed before the student, somewhat reclining, and in sucli a
manner, that the gloss of the colours (if it be a painting) or shades (if it be a print or drawing) may
not fall upon the eye; but both the eye and the light are to meet it in an oblique direction. It
must also be set at such a distance, that the whole may be taken into the eye at once; conse-
quently, the larger it is, at the greater distance it must be placed.
In proceeding to practice, with apiece of pointed charcoal a small point is to be made upon that
part of the paper designed for the center, and the corresponding place in the original carefully
noticed. The work must always be begun with the uppermost figures, and those situated at the right
hand side of the piece ; that is, on that side opposite the student's left hand ; and all the figures^
if there be more than one, situated on that side, sketched out first: next the succeeding ones, in
their regular order of succession, proceeding from left to right, according to the natural order of
writing ; by which means the hand will not conceal those parts of the work already done. Those
figures situated in the back ground are next to be delineated, beginning at the same side of the
piece as before. Lastly, those objects, at the greatest distance, most remote from sight, and, conse-
quently, the least and fainter parts of the piece, are to be faintly touched in their proper places.
Thus running over the draft, there will be had the skeleton of the work, which is now to have all its
false and incorrect strokes amended, by carefully examining it, comparing it with the original,
noticing the size, situation, and proportions of every figure. Particular care is requisite in obtain-
ing a true draft at first, as all the correctness of the work, and, consequently, its beauty, depend
principally upon having a just outline: the more time, therefore, is taken, and the more pains be-
stowed upon this most essential part, the more correct will the work appear; and the learner will
derive an infinitely greater advantage than by double the number of pieces, hastily executed.
Having thus obtained a rough draft of the work, it is again carefully to be examined and com-
pared with the original; all the charcoal lines more exactly drawn with the black-lead pencil, by
which an opportunity is given for correcting the outlines of the figures, as the learner, in his first
exercises, is permitted to use his compasses, as well as his judgment, in measuring the distances of
the different figures from each other, and their various proportions: the charcoal lines are then to
be rubbed out. The piece may now be again examined, and again corrected, by rubbing out any of
the black-lead pencil lines with Indian rubber: next, the whole is to be traced with a crow-quill
pen.,
OF DRAWING.
straight lines in every direction, and of any required length : for many can draw a straight line
from left to right, but not in any other direction. He should next inure himself to draw large
arches, or segments of circles, in the four principal directions before mentioned ; namely, per-
pendicularly, horizontally, and inclined both to the right and left, using the same precaution as
in drawing the straight lines, and availing himself of the same assistance, viz. drawing a prin-
cipal arc for a guide, with a pair of large compasses, or other fit instrument. This practice will
contribute considerably towards making the use of the pencil familiar; and will enable him, more
than any other method, to draw lines with freedom, for, having acquired the practice of drawing
lines of large dimensions, small ones he will rind perfectly easy : whereas a facility of drawing-
short lines will not in the least qualify the learner to draw one of any considerable length.
With regard to the size of the originals to be copied, it must be observed, that in general, the
larger the figures are, the better, provided they are not larger than the life, both for the facility
with which they are executed, and the improvement they afford the learner. For he will never
gain correct notions of the proportions of the outlines of his figures from those small copies given
in many treatises of this art.
The piece to be copied is to be placed before the student, somewhat reclining, and in sucli a
manner, that the gloss of the colours (if it be a painting) or shades (if it be a print or drawing) may
not fall upon the eye; but both the eye and the light are to meet it in an oblique direction. It
must also be set at such a distance, that the whole may be taken into the eye at once; conse-
quently, the larger it is, at the greater distance it must be placed.
In proceeding to practice, with apiece of pointed charcoal a small point is to be made upon that
part of the paper designed for the center, and the corresponding place in the original carefully
noticed. The work must always be begun with the uppermost figures, and those situated at the right
hand side of the piece ; that is, on that side opposite the student's left hand ; and all the figures^
if there be more than one, situated on that side, sketched out first: next the succeeding ones, in
their regular order of succession, proceeding from left to right, according to the natural order of
writing ; by which means the hand will not conceal those parts of the work already done. Those
figures situated in the back ground are next to be delineated, beginning at the same side of the
piece as before. Lastly, those objects, at the greatest distance, most remote from sight, and, conse-
quently, the least and fainter parts of the piece, are to be faintly touched in their proper places.
Thus running over the draft, there will be had the skeleton of the work, which is now to have all its
false and incorrect strokes amended, by carefully examining it, comparing it with the original,
noticing the size, situation, and proportions of every figure. Particular care is requisite in obtain-
ing a true draft at first, as all the correctness of the work, and, consequently, its beauty, depend
principally upon having a just outline: the more time, therefore, is taken, and the more pains be-
stowed upon this most essential part, the more correct will the work appear; and the learner will
derive an infinitely greater advantage than by double the number of pieces, hastily executed.
Having thus obtained a rough draft of the work, it is again carefully to be examined and com-
pared with the original; all the charcoal lines more exactly drawn with the black-lead pencil, by
which an opportunity is given for correcting the outlines of the figures, as the learner, in his first
exercises, is permitted to use his compasses, as well as his judgment, in measuring the distances of
the different figures from each other, and their various proportions: the charcoal lines are then to
be rubbed out. The piece may now be again examined, and again corrected, by rubbing out any of
the black-lead pencil lines with Indian rubber: next, the whole is to be traced with a crow-quill
pen.,