The text describes a method of achieving precise and successful drawings, particularly portraits. It explains techniques for copying large paintings by using a frame to aid in creating proportional copies. Additionally, it details using oiled or varnished paper to trace drawings for reproduction onto white paper.
Drawing
He improved his drawing with greater precision, without losing his first contour. In this way, he created very accurate portraits, having a lot of practice in Painting. He used the same technique for natural subjects in situations other than portraits, and always with the same success.
This method can also be used to copy large paintings, on which grids cannot be applied with string, by positioning a frame between the eye and the painting, and moving back until the frame completely covers the painting. Marks are noted on the original, where certain threads of the frame should pass to keep the eye always in the same place; it is essential that the frame is positioned parallel to the original painting, which will appear divided into a number of squares equal to the number of squares on the canvas or paper on which the copy is to be made.
Other methods for copying a drawing.
To copy a drawing or painting of the same size, one can use oiled or varnished paper to make it transparent, which is applied over the original; all the lines of the drawing appear through the varnished paper, and they are traced onto this paper with a brush, a pencil, or a pen. When all the lines have been marked, the varnished or oiled paper is removed from the painting and placed on a sheet of white paper, having placed between them a piece of paper blackened or reddened on the back, to trace it with a silver needle or stylus, as previously taught. This invention is very good and very easy for making copies of the same size.