The text introduces the principles of drawing from nature, emphasizing the importance of understanding geometry, architecture, and optics. It presents a method for learning to draw without a teacher, focusing on fundamental skills and encouraging observation from life. The text discourages direct copying of illustrations, suggesting they are guides to support hands-on practice with real objects.
When we establish the General Principles of Drawing from Nature in this work.
We needed to precede these principles with some indispensable preliminary notions: the basics of Geometry and Architecture, necessary to familiarize beginners with several line and figure names, and some very simple operations they will use. We thought it necessary to also include some elementary notions of Optics, such as the Demonstration of Vision and Description of the Eye, which undoubtedly will not seem out of place at the start of a drawing method, since drawing is nothing more than the art of reproducing images as our eyes perceive them.
IMPORTANT OBSERVATIONS.
We have titled this work: Method of Drawing from Nature and Without a Teacher, based on our belief, after many experiences, that with this method, one can acquire without a teacher’s assistance the fundamental skills and practice of drawing from nature, refining skills later using the methods we indicate and by consulting with an artist.
It is important to note that the figures accompanying the text in these lessons are not meant as models for students to copy. They are only intended to facilitate following the operations described in the text, which should all be performed from life, using as models objects similar to those depicted here. For instance, in plate 3, the figures 6, 10, and 12, are solely to show the positions required for boxes to be drawn from life, and the letters marked on these figures help indicate the corresponding parts of the model boxes related to the various operations explained in the demonstrations. It is understood that the models will always be the actual objects themselves. The combined indications from the text and figures take the place of the teacher.
Translation Notes:
Géométrie/Geometry and Architecture refer to basic design principles necessary for accurate representation. Démonstration de la vision and Description de l’œil explain fundamental visual perception required in drawing. The method emphasizes developing independent drawing skills.