On Drawing

Up until now, we have only seen empty figures, but now we can fill them, add depth with shadows, and create what we call solid bodies. Since our students have advanced so far in this, they only need to know how to arrange the shadows to perfect themselves in this noble art. They must accustom themselves to drawing with a red pencil and mark the hatching in a clear and distinct manner without blending or smoothing, as some do.

Eighth Lesson

The example shown here demonstrates how one should handle the pencil. It also shows that for forming shadows, the hatching must only have two lines crossing, or in cases of necessity, three for the strongest shadows, and only one for roundness. In areas where indentations and hollows require the pencil's full strength, it is important not to blend, and it would be unnecessary labor to apply more than three crosshatches on top of each other, as shown in this example. Therefore, one must copy carefully, give it all the required time, and not rush too much; drawing a little at a time, revisiting often, and doing it well advances more than working hastily and quickly. But it is usual for youth to lack attention and restraint, although both are greatly needed. That is why philosophers have said that circumspection is absolutely necessary for humans.