The text provides guidance on developing drawing skills with accuracy. It suggests setting goals to train the eye and hand, using comparative methods for judging sizes, and considering mental grids for better accuracy when copying. The focus is on training without over-relying on tools like a compass.
Drawing.
Regular practice is necessary until one is capable of drawing from a statue, which should be learned easily before attempting to draw from nature.
Method to Accustom Oneself to Draw Accurately.
When beginning to draw, one should set two goals: first, to train one's eye for accuracy, and second, to develop the ease of hand in execution.
There are two methods to assist in drawing accurately and to train the eye for it: the first is to judge the size of an object by comparing it with another, examining the relationship between length and width of one thing to the other, so that one can judge if it is larger or smaller than the other, to what extent, or if they are equal. However, in doing so, the eye should act as the compass (a), which should be in the eyes rather than in the hands, using it sparingly to translate measurements to paper. This does not prevent you, once the drawing is completed, from using the compass effectively for your own satisfaction and to see how accurate you were to the original or how much you deviated.
The other method to copy a drawing with more ease is to mentally draw several perpendicular lines and other horizontal lines that intersect at right angles on the original; to see which parts align above or below each other, or opposite each other.
(a) ...In which, the eyes should be the compass only, from the Art of Graphics.
Hij.
Translation Notes:
- "Dessiner" translates to "draw," keeping in mind the artistic context.
- The term "bosse" refers to a model or statue used as a reference for artists.