The text outlines a basic method for learning to draw, focusing specifically on rendering the hands. The author provides an introductory explanation of proportions and measurements, using letters and geometric shapes such as squares and ovals to aid in understanding. This is a preliminary section with more detailed instruction to follow in a subsequent book.
The First Part
In this section, I do not intend to describe the measurements of bodies in detail, but rather, I will cover them extensively in the second book of my academy. Here, my aim is to show only some fundamental principles for learning to draw. Since I consider that I have already discussed the features of the face and its components, I now find it essential to briefly teach you how to render all parts of the hands. To begin with, I will demonstrate with the figure at letter A, which I describe within a square or an elongated oval, where you will find that the long finger is long up to point B and the width of the hand is C D, and half the height of the hand is A D, and between letters C D, the contained hand, and by the letters E F, you will recognize the shape of the hand outstretched.
Translation Notes
- "Accademia" could be interpreted as "Art School" or "Academy" depending on context.
- The geometric instructions reference traditional drawing techniques involving proportions and measurement using letters as markers.