APPENDIX.
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
The intention of the author in presenting these plates is that the student, by copying a series of progressive drawings, may be prepared to study from the cast and from life. For those who are entirely inexperienced, it is much easier to learn this method from such flat copies at first, as it not only teaches the use of the materials, but familiarizes the student with the forms of the different features, so that when confronted with nature he finds his difficulties considerably lessened.
PLATE I.
This plate is intended to show the drawing of the human eye and mouth in different positions, as well as to familiarize the student with the general form of these important features. Only charcoal sharpened to a point is necessary for these outlines, which should be carefully practiced before proceeding to Plate II.
PLATE II.
This study is intended for those who have never drawn from the cast, and have had no practice in using charcoal. A. represents the manner of beginning a drawing. Make a dot on the paper for the top, and one for the bottom of the fragment to ascertain where to place the lines, and then with a sharply pointed charcoal stick, draw the general form of the outline in the manner shown in the plate, without attempting any detail. The shadows are then blocked in squarely with the point. When the proportions are thus ascertained to be correct, proceed to finish the drawing as is seen in B.
To do this, rub the shadows with the stump till one flat, even tone is obtained, and carefully draw the outline, turning the angles into curves.
This plate is for the most elementary practice in drawing, and no further degree of finish than this should be attempted, until the student has learned to do this much well.
PLATE III.
This represents a simple study of the hand, drawn from a cast. A. indicates the manner of laying in the study, the curved lines being drawn to show the direction and movement of the fingers.
In B. the stump is used in the shadows, and the modeling is carried on further than in Plate II., the half-tint being added. The outline is carefully finished with the pointed crayon, which is also used in the shadows.
PLATE IV.
The part drawn from the cast here represented, is laid in with charcoal, as in Fig. A., and then carried on in crayon as in Fig. B. The outline is carefully drawn and the shadows blocked in squarely at first as usual, and then changed with great care into the necessary correct forms.
It will be noticed that this study is a little further advanced than those already given, more detail being shown, as well as a little greater variety in the half-tints. The straight lines across the base and ends of the toes serve to direct the eye to the difference between their general direction and a perfectly horizontal line.
PLATE V.
In this plate the whole profile view of a face is given, Fig. A. representing the way to lay in a head. The straight lines outside may be ruled, as they have nothing to do with the drawing, but are merely mechanical aids by which the angle of the features is determined.
In B. the modeling of the features is carried on still further than in any of the preceding studies, the half-tints and shadows, however, being still kept flat.
PLATE VI.
This plate gives a more difficult study in the three-quarter view of a male head. In laying in the drawing, as in Fig. A., be careful to get the proportions as perfectly correct as possible before proceeding to carry the modeling further, as in Fig. B.
This head, though more finished than any other yet given, purposely stops short of the final extent to which such drawings may be carried, as the object of the author is to familiarize the student with each step by the way. In the smaller touches about the eyes, nose, etc., the pointed rubber stump will be found more available than bread. For the large masses of shadow it would be well to rub off some sauce crayon on a small piece of drawing paper and fasten it one side of the easel, or, if preferred, rub the pointed crayon on the rough paper until a sufficient quantity adheres. The stump is rolled around in this until sufficient is taken up to cover the large mass of shadow. The more careful work is carried on with the pointed Conté crayon, small stump, and pointed rubber, or bread, as before explained.
PLATE VII.
Plate VII. is intended to prepare the student for drawing the full length figure from the cast, and should be carefully copied. An excellent exercise would be to draw Fig. A. several times first, in order to practice the manner of beginning such a drawing; then when this is fully mastered proceed to finish as in Fig. B., which in this plate shows a fully completed drawing from the cast.
PLATE VIII.
This plate represents a study of the male figure taken directly from life, and is a most carefully finished drawing in every respect. Fig. A. shows the manner of beginning such a figure; the outline is sketched in with long, sweeping lines at first, to determine the direction of the pose; the proportions are noted and the outline corrected, though drawn in angles, the general masses of shadow being blocked in as usual.
In Fig. B. the crayon and stump are taken up and the drawing is carefully carried on as shown by the plate, until completed.
The End.