Drawing from Nature: A Glass Seen from Below

The observation to make sure the dimension in question is not smaller than the one known, is akin to comparing a large dimension to a smaller one which is more challenging. We use the total height or width of the object for comparison.

It will be easier to compare the large diameter of the glass's base, represented by pz, with the large diameter hk of the ellipse above. Indeed, it is simpler to slightly raise the hand, without turning it, and always holding the pencil horizontally, to compare the horizontal pz with the horizontal hk, than if one had to turn the hand to compare the horizontal pz with the vertical ab. It's advisable to compare both ways to ensure the result’s accuracy.

The small diameter of this base, represented by bpfz, will be compared with the large diameter pz of this base, as was done for the ellipse above.

One can also note where the curve represented by pfz intersects the glass's foot on line ab. Here, this intersection is below the small molding br. Therefore, on the drawing, mark below br, point f, through which the curve passing through the points p, f, and z will be drawn, as well as through points p, b, and z.

If the glass contains water or any other liquid, the surface of this liquid takes the shape of the glass, and if the glass is not full, a second ellipse can be seen, represented here at point e (fig. 6). This second ellipse may be found as follows:

On the model, compare the distance from the liquid surface to the top edge of the glass with a known dimension here. For example, see that it is one-third of ad. On your drawing, starting from the top edge of the glass, mark one-third of your line ad, finding point e, which gives you the ellipse’s position; draw this curve, as you did for the others.

Drawing from Nature: A Glass Viewed from Above

Suppose a glass is in the position shown in figure 7, believed to be placed above the observer's eye. Proceed in the same way as for figure 5.

On your paper, freely draw a vertical representing the height of the glass as ab (fig. 7). Compare av with ab, and again rs with cb then the small diameter of the ellipse given by the top of the glass, i.e., gb, again with ab. Continue these comparisons, using cb, u, av with cb, t, and ab with o.

While drawing the circles, serious difficulties presented. Point q of the ellipse closest to the viewer, was cd, in figure 6, appeared lowest, however, here, in figure 6, appeared highest; similarly, point r, farthest from the observer’s eye and highest in figure 6, appears lowest in figure 7. The same applies to the glass's foot, as with ellipse igkh. Finally, the curved lines in this figure, parallel to the curves cad and ibk, are seen from below.

When drawing from nature, curved lines often appear almost straight at eye level. The curvature, therefore, is scarcely noticeable, making it hard to determine whether the object is seen from above or below. A method to verify:

Holding the pencil horizontally (see plate 3, fig. 11), raise or lower it until it covers the two ends of the line being observed. Suppose the pencil covers the two ends represented here by and a and b (plate 4, fig. 8). If you see above the pencil a space between it and the line, as represented here by ce, you recognize the line is seen from below. Conversely, if the space is seen above the pencil, as fig. 9 shows, the observed line would be seen from above.

Translation Notes:

1. "Dessiner d’après nature" translates to "Drawing from Nature," a common term in art.

2. Terms like "ellipse," "diameter," "pencil," and "horizontal" are critical and specific to the drawing techniques discussed.