DRAWING.

Famous artists rightly believe that, regardless of the area one aims to cover later, it is always appropriate to begin by drawing heads, feet, and hands. The reason is that one benefits even more from practice because it is much more essential to apply oneself to give an appearance of justice to a head than a flower, a fruit, or any other satisfying object, and to make it seem good in itself, although it may have parts larger or smaller than they are in the original, which makes the flaws appear less noticeable. In contrast, if the eye, nose, or mouth is made larger or smaller than in the original, it is easily noticeable; and the smallest defects in their true proportions are very visible. Thus, one can recognize them more easily and correct them. Moreover, one who draws a head well will also draw a flower well. However, one who only draws flowers is incapable of copying a head; hence, when one draws the human figure well, everything else should seem easier, as long as one wants to make the effort to study it directly from nature.

It is better to draw first in large.

To progress in drawing, it is necessary to get used to drawing as large as possible from the beginning because the hand acquires more freedom and boldness, and defects, as well as beauties, become much more noticeable; and to achieve a good style, one must always strive for more.

Translation Notes:

"Dessiner" translates to "to draw." "En grand" translates as "large." The text suggests practicing drawing parts of the human body before other objects for better accuracy. "Facile" in the phrase "tout le reste doit paroître facile" conveys more than simply "easy"; it implies achieving proficiency with less effort.