transcribed by Lala Ragimov, original spelling kept
An introduction to the general art of drawing.
A 1674 English translation of
a drawing treatise by Willem Goeree (1635-1711)
CHAP.
VII.
Of
those things, which in drawing after the life, are necessarie to be
observed and understood.
The
natural Life reacheth all things.
BEcause
it is known that Nature and Life are sufficiently compleated in all
things, and to imitate the least thing in it, requires a hand of the
best Master, let this then spurr us on, also for to go to the life
itself, being this above all is most necessarie to this purpose, set
your time, and chuse a convenient place and a good Master, or for
want of him be acquainted with some other Young man, that is pretty
well entered in his Art, and agree to spend two days, or at least one
day in a week to draw after the life, either under the oversight of a
good Master
To
chuse a College.
or
in a Colledge of eight or ten young men, among which some at least
are experienced to draw after the life. That may put you in the way,
if you are out, and in the Colledge you shall evade the inspection of
one to be anothers
work, neither shall you spend your time vainly to dispraise another
mans work, but you shall quietly and modestly stir up one another,
and by good example precede the rest of your companions, in diligent
observation and care, taking heed what you are about,
To
what purpose.
shew
also one another his faults, (according to the knowledge you have,)
with all gentleness and humanitie to amendment of anothers judgement.
Place,
light.
Model
of what shape.
Having
then made choice of a Colledge suitable to your desire, and agreeing
with your business, then sit your self with unanimous consent, with a
convenient place, and in it such a light as we have prescribed unto
you in drawing after Plaister; further, make choice of a good and
well-shap't man, which is to stand for you, get a man of a rustick
body, broad of shoulders, of a fair breast, very well muscled, thick
thighs, long legs, and of length reasonable for all, not too short,
nor too thick, nor of a blunt head, and such a man in general is held
to be a very good naked figure.
You
must also study a good manner to set your Model in a good action, and
this you shall do by turns, and let him whose turn it is to set the
Model, schitch upon paper aforehand his imaginations, not to spend
too much time in vain about setting of the Model, except it be an
action premeditated, or that which comes after the invention of some
eminent Master, either in print, draught or picture, which after
sight we have retained in our memory, yet in all this you shall use
your libertie, and follow your desire.
Place,
light.
You
must put your Model in a place of a convenient light, as is said of
plaster-Rounds in winter time or cold weather you must use a stove at
the charge of the Company, to keep your Model and your selves in a
temperate heat.
Divers
manners to set the Model in action.
The
actions that you will set your Model in, are commonly performed on
the ground, but for to make or set particular actions, either
sitting, lying, or actions of Devotions a table of convenient height
is necessary, for upon the same the hanging down of the one or other
member of the model, can be shewn artificially and Pleasant.
In
all actions Members must make a Compact together.
What
Principally is to be observed in the good actions.
Observe
also that in chusing your actions in your Model, the members make (as
it were,) one compact, the one with the other, and this shall you do
after this manner
First,
observe well that the head turn it self not to the sides of the
breast, but elswhere, and in case it (the breast, LR) be turned to the right shoulder,
then turn the head somewhat to the left side; and if the breast doth
extend it self outward to the left, let the head turn to the right
side, and the parts of the right shoulder must be higher then the
parts of the left, and if the head looked upward then it must not
lean further backward, but that the eyes may be seen; and in turning
the head about, it must turn no further, but that the chin may just
reach the shoulder; the shoulder which carries the burthen must always
be the highest; and where the shoulder is lowest there the Hip must
give out; put that Arm forward where the leg comes behind,
Examples
of four footed beasts.
and
where the leg comes forward there put the Arm backward, which then
you may also observe in all four-footed beasts, and this in generall
is the common good position of a figure, to make the members
cross-ways to accord together, in turning of a figure forward,
backward, or aside, you must counterpoize the same by the weight of
some other Members,
The
good Position Of a figure.
and
keep it in his ballance, and in this knowledge is a great Matter, and
cannot be attained without diligence; now the principal thing to be
observed in setting or placing of a figure well, is that you place
the head well upon the shoulders, and the breast well upon the Hips,
and the Hips well upon the Feet,
Out
of the tending of the Members to see what doth the figure.
and
that the actions of the figure with all his Members be such, that a
body may easily judge, where they will most express themselves, and
this in short is that which principally I had to say concerning the
good posture of a figure.
The
manner how to sit to draw.
You shall not look too much, or imitate anothers Draught.
Unskilful Drawers may place themselves with them that are experienced.
You shall not look too much, or imitate anothers Draught.
Unskilful Drawers may place themselves with them that are experienced.
Take
convenient place to sit in, of a reasonable distance, if the place
will admit it (as I have taught in drawing after Plaister) some chuse
to sit upon the ground, and some upon a stool, every one according to
his liking, and according to his desire, to behold the figure, you
shall not look too much into anothers draught, as if you would
imitate the same, and leave the life; yet I should not reprehend, if
he that is unskilful in drawing after the life, should place himself
next unto a well-experienced draughts-man to see and observe his
manner in drawing after the life, and be resolved by him now and then
in his doubtings, that by this means he may come on the faster to be
a draughts-man.
For
what reason.
What is to be observed commonly.
The Model shall not stand too long in his action.
Wherefore
What is to be observed commonly.
The Model shall not stand too long in his action.
Wherefore
You
shal take good heed in scetching of a figure, how each part doth
agree with the whole. Secondly, upon the proportion. Thirdly, upon
the action of a figure, and further, as we have taught herefore,
having in some manner scetcht your figure, stay a while, that your
Model may not be made too weary, and lose his action, or change it
into another, and then after a little rest begin again, and further
your draught, and bring it to a conclusion, of which we intend to
give a general rule presently:
Observation.
only this we will touch with a word, that when you have circumscribed your whole Figure with all possible diligence, that then you chuse a part (of which you are most desirous, and upon which you will employ most of your study) for to perfect the same, by reason you have set that with the rest in a good shape: otherwise, you shall not easily, either in particular, or in the whole, finish and compleat the Members, because time many times will not suffer to draw a whole figure, except they be such that are sure and well expert in their drawings.
To learn to draw compleatly
Observation.
only this we will touch with a word, that when you have circumscribed your whole Figure with all possible diligence, that then you chuse a part (of which you are most desirous, and upon which you will employ most of your study) for to perfect the same, by reason you have set that with the rest in a good shape: otherwise, you shall not easily, either in particular, or in the whole, finish and compleat the Members, because time many times will not suffer to draw a whole figure, except they be such that are sure and well expert in their drawings.
To learn to draw compleatly
It
shall also be more profit unto you to draw half a figure, or a
quarter part thereof naturally and compleat, then a whole Figure that
is in the whole imperfect; yet you shal strive to do the same by
degrees, more bold, certain and sure, which must be obtained this and
no other way. Here also we might observe how to draw after the life
by Night-light, but this being spoken of where we taught to draw
after stature of Plaister, or any other round bodies, we thought it
here a needless repetition, but refer the Practitioner thither. My
counsel also is, that a Practitioner should some time, as his
convenience will best admit,
To
draw Landskips
go
in the Countrey and draw some Landskips after the life, that so he
may have an universal knowledge, and become a general Master,
understanding the draught of all things.
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