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THE ANTIQUE.
The actual measurement of the individual parts will be of little assistance, as the slightest movement in position will alter it. Their relative size therefore as they appear to the eye is our only guide in this case.
This may be ascertained by holding the pencil or crayon at arm's length and measuring the proportions on it with the thumb, and, turning it, by comparing one part with another.
To begin then, having first pinned or stretched a piece of paper on a board, ascertain the width of the object in comparison with its height ; then mark the same relative measurements on the paper according to the intended size of the drawing. Next sketch in the general shape of the mass, as in Plate 6, ^g. 1, and as the detail may have a tendency to confuse, its effect may be counteracted by half closing the eyes. Before proceeding any farther it would be well to go over this again and correct anything that may be wrong, as the feeling and action of the figure depend on this stage of the drawing. It may be then carried to the same state as Plate 6, fig. 2 ; and in marking out the detail in the square, if the most prominent part be first drawn correctly there will be no difficulty in adding the remainder.
If this plan is followed out the Student will find that he has been spared much uncertainty and confusion, and that he will have but little difficulty in completing the drawing by introducing rounded, in the place of straight lines. The pencil can be held before the model in the same position as the lines drawn, by which the deviation of the round may be more easily observed.
If a finished outline only is desired, the lines representing the under sides may be strengthened, as in Plate 6, fig. 3 ; but if a shaded drawing, the whole must be left in a delicate state.
In drawing the whole figure more difficulty will be experienced in representing the feeling and proportions correctly. It will be useless to sketch the character and expression first, as they will be destroyed subsequently in the correction of innumerable mistakes. The drawing must be commenced in a business- like manner, and marked out with mathematical precision ; and so correctness in the first stage will be encouraging throughout, and on this foundation may be safely added all the finish and expression that can be desired; for without correctness of outline, expression is either an affectation or a caricature.
Let us take for illustration such a figure as that in Plate 8. The model must be placed at the distance of two or three times its height from the eye, and so situated in regard to the light that its shadow may be its own length. It is to be drawn two feet in height, and upon measurement its length is found to be eight heads. Mark off either an eighth of the whole or three inches from the top, for the length of the head. Put marks also to divide the figure into eight equal parts. Ascertain then the width of the head compared with its height or with any portion of the figure, and draw it in the square correctly. With this starting point it will be comparatively easy to fix the position of the rest. Take a plumb-line, or a thread with a weight on the end, and holding it up at arm's length before the figure, see what prominent point falls under any portion of the head and mark it accordingly, then ascertain by measurement how low it comes ; and in this way several points may be fixed, which will be a sufficient guide for every part of the figure.
Should the position of the figure be such as to prevent this plan being followed, the same assistance may be obtained by drawing first any principal division ; or by ascertaining the central spot, and measuring the masses in relation to it.
