On Drawing

Example

The letter A marks a Beer Pot; B, a Window; C, a Wine Glass; D, a Bow; E, a Checkerboard; F, a Trowel; G, a Barber's Basin; H, a Heart; I, a Shovel; K, a Club (Clover); L, a Diamond (Rhombus); M, a Tea Box; N, a Cup for drinking Coffee or Tea; O, an Apple; P, a Pear; Q, two Cherries; R, a Peach.

These are common things but appealing to the youth, and they can serve those who are already advanced in thought to delve deeper into the rich Palace of Nature and rise to the most sublime delicacies of Art. Indeed, although all these figures are, so to speak, insubstantial and reduced to straight, oblique, curved, or inclined lines, it is absolutely necessary to learn them because all the lineaments are included, and if you can once trace these small trifles well, the rest will come by itself, and there is nothing you cannot achieve.

For example, the Trowel marked with the letter F is almost nothing but a Triangle. The shape of the Beer Pot marked with an A is a kind of square; its body is round, and its foot triangular. But when you draw the body, you should first draw the right side, then the left, always starting from top to bottom: I say the same for the sides of the foot, which must be joined together afterward. Then pull a line through the middle of the Pot from top to bottom, and you will see if it is bigger on one side than the other. This is how you must execute everything according to the rules of Art so that nothing is lacking: In this way, one will gradually solidify the hand, so the strokes will always be bold in everything you draw, whether you sketch or finish it; if these Principles are neglected, one only flounders in darkness, and precision or perfect knowledge of Art is never achieved.

Translation Notes:

1. "Trèfle" translated as "Club (Clover)" refers to the suit in card games.

2. "Losange" translated as "Diamond (Rhombus)" refers to a diamond shape or rhombus.