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Page Summary:
The text details methods for drawing ovals representing a face viewed from different angles: front and three-quarters. Steps include dividing vertical lines and using arcs to shape an oval, likening parts to egg form. The instructions emphasize the process of forming outlines and contours of a head, with specific geometric guidance for artists.
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Page 60

... one moves slightly downward until meeting point K on the horizontal line passing through point A. From a point M, taken at a quarter of the total height KO, draw a horizontal line from left to right that becomes tangent to both circles. On line KN, choose dimension KR equals KM, a quarter of the height minus a fifth. From point b, found at the intersection of the two circles, let ba equal MK. From point a, as a center and with a radius equal to ab, describe the arc Rb, outlining the contour of the lower jaw. From point R to point L, neck width is twice KM, a quarter of the total height or half the head's height. Above point c, connect the two circles with a small curve: above point b, extend the neck to circle L at d.

Drawing the oval of a face seen from the front.

The face seen from the front presents the shape of an oval wide at the top, narrow at the bottom, resembling an egg; construct this oval as follows: On a vertical line represented by AB (fig. 2), determine the head height at will. The height is divided into four equal parts, and CB, three-quarters of AB, is divided into two equal parts by point D. From point D, as a center, and with a radius equal to DB, describe a circle. Passing through center D, draw diameter EF at right angles to line AB. From point E as a center, with radius EF, describe arc FA. From point F as a center, with radius EF, describe curve EA. These two curves meet to form a point slightly above point A. By drawing a small curve through point A, smooth the point and round the oval's bottom. This gives oval AEBF, the Mass of the face seen from the front.

Drawing the oval of a face seen from three-quarters.

On a vertical line represented by AB (fig. 3), take the total head height. The height is divided into four equal parts, and from point C, taken at a quarter of AB, draw a horizontal line. Divide AB, three-quarters of AB, into two equal parts at point D. From point D, as a center, with a radius equal to DB, describe a circle. Passing through center D, draw diameter EF, parallel to HL. From point G, as a center, taken midway of radius DK, and with a radius equal to DE or DB, describe a second circle equal to the first. From point M, halfway from EÂB to line NO, parallel to EF, and at meeting point N, as a center, with a radius equal to NO, describe arc OPF from line MH. Choose dimension HL equal to Ab, quarter of AB. From point b, as a center, with radius hH or bA, describe curve Ac. Then by hand and with pencil, join PE to PA with a small curve. There are small and large three-quarters models. Here, a regular three-quarters model is taken...

II. ON DRAWING THE MASS OF A HEAD, FROM NATURE OR FROM A BUST.

For ease, it is agreed to use a bust head for mo...

Translation Notes:

'Masse': This term might refer to a conceptual or artistic rendering of form, often in sculpture or drawing, meaning the overall volume or mass.

'Tête de bosse': This translates to 'bust head', referring to sculptured heads used for artistic study.