Smith, Thomas [Hrsg.]: 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)

80

ON FIGURE DRAWING.

have before observed, is more difficult than any of the
other parts of the profession.

LESSON XX.

On Historical or Figure Drawing.

I now enter upon the highest and most difficult depart-
ment of the art, that of drawing the human figure, in
studying which the student ought to possess a number of
plaster casts after the antique, such as

The Apollo Belvidere
The Venus de Medicis
The Hercules
The Antinous
The Gladiator
The Laocoon, fyc. fyc.

Should it not be in his power to procure these, the best
prints after the old masters will be found serviceable,
though it will be much better if he can commence his
studies by drawing from the antique. The figure I
should recommend is the Gladiator, though I would
advise the student, to begin by drawing the extremities,
such as the hands and feet; after which he may proceed
to draw faces till he have acquired a certain capability
of representing these parts, when he may proceed with
the whole length figure, in doing which he will find the
following list of proportions of the human figure, taken