Smith, Thomas [Editor]: The Art Of Drawing In Its Various Branches: Exemplified In A Course Of Twenty-Eight progressive Lessons, Calculated To Afford Those Who Are Unacquainted With The Art, The Means Of Acquiring A Competent Knowledge Without The Aid Of A Master ; Being The Only Work Of The Kind In Which The Principles Of Effect Are Explained In A Clear, Methodical, And At The Same Time Familiar Style. Illustrated With Coloured Designs And Numerous Wood Engravings (London, 1827)

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MATERIALS.

consists of a plank of deal, oak, mahogany, or any other
wood of the requisite dimensions, which is planed smooth,
having another piece of wood let into each end to pre-
vent its warping; the next and most ready consists of a
pannel which lets into a frame, and in which it is con-
fined by means of wedges at the back. The third and last
that we shall mention consists of a pannel on which a
number of points are set up all round the edges, so con-
trived to enter the same number of holes which are
made in a frame that is joined by hinges to one side of
the pannel, by which it shuts down and fastens with
strings on the three remaining sides : the annexed repre-
sentation will enable the
student to understand
the above description:
the advantage of this
drawing - board is that
one can stretch two or
three sheets of paper at
the same time. I shall speak of the manner of perform-
ing this operation hereafter.

Rulers may be of the common flat kind. The instru-
ment called a parallel ruler is occasionally used for
drawing parallel lines; it is, however, more adapted for
architectural drawing than any thing else.

The best brushes are those made of camel’s hair,
notwithstanding there are many artists who prefer sables
as being more elastic; this, however, I consider as mere
fancy, almost all our best artists making use of camel’s
hair brushes. The goodness of a brush depends on its