DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19388#0024
16 OBSERVATIONS ON THE ART OF DESIGNING.
7. Let the folds be well contrasted, and avoid straight lines as much as possible.
8. Make the folds contrast the body and limbs.
9. A judicious repetition of folds in a circular form, contributes greatly to cha-
racterize a fore-shortened limb.
10. The drapery of figures moving with great activity, should play as if agitated
by the wind; but that in proportion only to the velocity with which the figure
appears to move : on the contrary, in fixed attitudes keep the drapery still.
11. Numberless examples of fine draperies may be found in prints after the great
masters; but none are fitter to be consulted than those of the Cartoons: let them be
designed carefully, and the artist will be better enabled to cast them himself in a true
taste, when he afterwards makes designs from real draperies.
When the student has made a considerable progress, and is able to copy a picture,
drawing, or print, with freedom and exactness, let him proceed to finish his studies
by considering the antique and nature. The collection of casts from the antique
statues, at the Royal Academy for Painting and Sculpture, are accessible to the
ingenious.
It will be necessary to conclude with one useful caution : let the student be careful
how he studies the statues; let him remember, that the best of them are only memo-
rials of the intense application of those great artists, whose lives were spent in endea-
vours to express their own, idea of perfection, which varied according to the different
genius or taste of each master, and the different nature of the materials he wrought
upon ; and that those performances which come nearest to nature are the best. And
let it be further remembered, that a design correctly made after the finest statue, will
never convey any other idea than that of a statue : there is a stiffness inseparable from
marble or plaster, which is conveyed to, and infallibly distinguishes the designs made
after them from those made after nature; and that stiffness should be avoided with
the utmost care and assiduity.
7. Let the folds be well contrasted, and avoid straight lines as much as possible.
8. Make the folds contrast the body and limbs.
9. A judicious repetition of folds in a circular form, contributes greatly to cha-
racterize a fore-shortened limb.
10. The drapery of figures moving with great activity, should play as if agitated
by the wind; but that in proportion only to the velocity with which the figure
appears to move : on the contrary, in fixed attitudes keep the drapery still.
11. Numberless examples of fine draperies may be found in prints after the great
masters; but none are fitter to be consulted than those of the Cartoons: let them be
designed carefully, and the artist will be better enabled to cast them himself in a true
taste, when he afterwards makes designs from real draperies.
When the student has made a considerable progress, and is able to copy a picture,
drawing, or print, with freedom and exactness, let him proceed to finish his studies
by considering the antique and nature. The collection of casts from the antique
statues, at the Royal Academy for Painting and Sculpture, are accessible to the
ingenious.
It will be necessary to conclude with one useful caution : let the student be careful
how he studies the statues; let him remember, that the best of them are only memo-
rials of the intense application of those great artists, whose lives were spent in endea-
vours to express their own, idea of perfection, which varied according to the different
genius or taste of each master, and the different nature of the materials he wrought
upon ; and that those performances which come nearest to nature are the best. And
let it be further remembered, that a design correctly made after the finest statue, will
never convey any other idea than that of a statue : there is a stiffness inseparable from
marble or plaster, which is conveyed to, and infallibly distinguishes the designs made
after them from those made after nature; and that stiffness should be avoided with
the utmost care and assiduity.