130
In the practice of Curves, the pleasing undulations
continually occurring, particularly in the stalks and leaves,
are very improving to the liberty of hand, which this re-
quires ; and are productive of elegance in the taste of Lines
adapted to the human figure.
Heads, or Portrait.
As an exact resemblance of countenance is the effect to
be produced, every Line must be correctly descriptive of
the particular character.
The most perfect Obliquity, and proportionate length
of every Line, together with the just measure of each
Curve, must be added to great delicacy in regard to the
scale of strength. And to these must be joined a display
of facility : For the likeness, though it be striking, is not
agreeably seen in formal Lines. That this masterly free-
dom may be effected, the Lines through every feature
must successively appear to proceed from each other.
But sudden, small, and unconnected Lines, with abrupt
strength, forcibly pointing out character, are besides very
often useful; in the lip and eye particularly : The sur-
rounding muscles of each, with their suitable appearances,
may also be expressed by detached Lines.
In the practice of Curves, the pleasing undulations
continually occurring, particularly in the stalks and leaves,
are very improving to the liberty of hand, which this re-
quires ; and are productive of elegance in the taste of Lines
adapted to the human figure.
Heads, or Portrait.
As an exact resemblance of countenance is the effect to
be produced, every Line must be correctly descriptive of
the particular character.
The most perfect Obliquity, and proportionate length
of every Line, together with the just measure of each
Curve, must be added to great delicacy in regard to the
scale of strength. And to these must be joined a display
of facility : For the likeness, though it be striking, is not
agreeably seen in formal Lines. That this masterly free-
dom may be effected, the Lines through every feature
must successively appear to proceed from each other.
But sudden, small, and unconnected Lines, with abrupt
strength, forcibly pointing out character, are besides very
often useful; in the lip and eye particularly : The sur-
rounding muscles of each, with their suitable appearances,
may also be expressed by detached Lines.