THIRD PART.
CHAPTER ONE.
DRAWING THE WHOLE BODY OR ACADEMIC STUDY FROM NATURE OR FROM A PLASTER CAST.
Just as, to succeed in drawing the head from nature or from a plaster cast, we studied the proportions before trying to sketch out its mass, then moved on to drawing the features, similarly, to succeed in drawing from nature or from a plaster cast, the entire body or academic study, we will start by studying the proportions of a figure viewed from different sides: man, woman, or child figures. Secondly, we will address the effects produced by different modes of movement of the figures, according to the organization of the human body and according to the general laws of gravity. Thirdly, we will mention the means of sketching the mass of an entire figure, after which we will proceed to the drawing from nature or from a plaster cast of hands and feet, to be treated in the second chapter, with this first chapter divided into three sections, namely: I. Proportions of figures; II. Movements and center of gravity; III. Method of drawing the mass of a figure from nature or from a plaster cast.
I. PROPORTIONS OF FIGURES.
The figure for which we will first provide the proportions is assumed to be a human figure.
Proportions of a figure seen from the front.
The height of a figure assumed to be upright on its feet, from the top of the head to the soles of the feet, is divided into eight equal parts, with the height of the head taking up one of these parts: there are thus eight head heights in the total height of the figure. Therefore, it is agreed that for comparison, the height of a head is equivalent to one-eighth of the total height. It is also agreed that a part is understood to be a quarter of the height of the head. Here, in planche 21, fig. 1, we have established a scale of proportions, divided into eight equal divisions and part 23.
Translation Notes:
"D'après la bosse" has been translated as "from a plaster cast," which involves drawing from a three-dimensional object.
"Académie" is understood in art as a drawing or painting of the human body, traditionally from a live model.
"Planche" means "plate," referring to an illustration in a book.