Part 11

Fig. 55 shows the approved position in which the pencil should be held while sketching. The pencil should be held firmly between the thumb and first finger of the right hand; press the second finger against the pencil at the opposite side to the thumb pressure, so that the pencil is firmly held by the contact of the thumb and two fingers--the third and fourth fingers just coming into easy reach of the paper surface--the wrist or ball of the hand resting lightly on the surface of the work--the arm resting on the desk or drawing-board for steadiness.

The motion of the pencil is produced from the movement of the fingers and thumb, principally in the vertical strokes, and the horizontal strokes are produced by fingers and thumb, combined with a wrist or elbow motion; the oblique lines and curves are produced with a free movement, with nothing cramped or confined about the finger joints.

POSITION.

It should be observed that nothing is more prejudicial to good execution than the habit of leaning over the paper, which ought to be placed on a surface sufficiently inclined to bring every portion equally under the eye, thus obviating the necessity of leaning forward. All support to the figure should be obtained by resting on the left arm, the right being left free for work. By attention to these rules that awkwardness of position, so detrimental to a good figure, will be avoided. It is better to have the light on the left hand, as in this direction the shadow of the pencil does not interfere with the view of the drawing.

HOW TO CUT A PENCIL.

Hold the pencil firmly in the left hand, as in the drawing, allowing about an inch to project beyond the fingers, and turn it gradually as the knife removes the wood. The knife should be held so that the blade alone projects beyond the fingers, and the part of it nearest the handle used for cutting. The pencil should be placed against the inside of the thumb of the right hand, as in the drawing (fig. 56), and the wood removed by slight shaving. The lead should not be cut at the same time as the wood, but rested on the thumb and pared gently afterwards; by attention to these directions the pencil will be economized.

HOW TO DRAW STRAIGHT LINES.

Before a line is drawn, the point at which it is to commence and the point where it is to end, should be known; and let it be distinctly understood that this judgment of the eye, and placing of points, should invariably precede the drawing of every line.

The first effort should, therefore, be to produce a line of points exactly parallel with the upper edge of the paper, and at equal distances from each other. Commence with point A and place the point B carefully level with it, now place a slip of paper against these points in the original, mark their distance apart, and see if the same proportion has been given in your copy; if not, make the necessary correction. Proceed with the next point, examine it, and so on to the end of the line. When this is complete, examine each point in succession, to try if it is at the same distance from the top of the paper; when this is correct, proceed to draw the first level line. Hold the pencil as in the drawing, fig. 57, keeping the elbow near the side; join A to B by one light, steady stroke, produced by a movement of the wrist, and add stroke upon stroke until the line is of the required depth. Continue this process to the end of the line of points. Now place the point D at the right distance below the A, proceed with the points for another line as before, and continue the lines until the paper is covered. In producing the stroke the pencil should not be jerked, or any stop be made between the points, but the movement should be even throughout, and it is much better to produce each line by several soft strokes, as the repetition of delicate lines induces lightness of touch and freedom of hand; and it is also no small advantage that lines thus produced are more easily removed by the India rubber, should they require correction.

TO DRAW THE FIRST OBLIQUE LINE.

Prepare three rows of points down the side of the paper, on the left hand; examine them to see that they are at equal distances from the side and from each other; hold the pencil as in the drawing, fig. 58, move the elbow a little from the side, and join the points A and B with one light line, produced by a movement of the fingers and thumb, repeating the strokes until the line is of the requisite depth; proceed to join B to C, taking care previously to bring the hand a little down the paper, as the line from A to C is too long to be produced from one position. When the three rows of points are filled, make another set, examine them and proceed as before. By these means the paper will be covered with oblique lines, and if the points have been placed exactly, the sheet will have a neat and regular appearance.

NOTE.--The drawings of hands are introduced to show the positions for holding the pencil, and are not intended for copying.

It is a common, and at the same time highly injurious habit, to draw this line by a movement of the wrist, the fingers remaining rigid. This may be detected by watching the action of the thumb; if it bends as the line is produced, all is right; but if it does not the wrist is at work.

TO DRAW THE UPRIGHT OR PERPENDICULAR LINE.

This line demands the greatest attention, and any care bestowed upon it will be amply repaid in the after studies.

Commence by placing a line of points down the side of the paper, examine them very carefully to see that they are all the same distance from its edge, hold the pencil as in the drawing, fig. 59, move the elbow well out from the side, and join the points by a movement of the fingers and thumb. When one line is complete, place the points for the next, and examine them from the edge of the paper, not from the line just drawn. Proceed in this manner until the paper is covered.

There is in most cases a tendency to place the points for this line in a slightly inclined direction, as in writing, though in some instances the tendency is the opposite, a thoroughly correct eye in this respect being a rare gift: and it may be useful to suggest that the paper be so placed that the line of points to be produced may be exactly in front of the eye.

TO DRAW THE SECOND OBLIQUE LINE.

Prepare three rows of points down the side of the paper, examine them for correctness of position, hold the pencil as in the drawing, fig. 60, remove the elbow as far as possible from the side, and join the points by a movement of the fingers and thumb, and continue the exercise until the paper is covered.

It will be noticed that each change in direction of the line to be drawn, has been accompanied with a corresponding change in the position of the elbow and wrist. The following simple rule will assist the memory when placing the hand for any given line; the pencil should be held so that it may form a T with the line to be drawn:

For the horizontal line, elbow near the side.

For the first oblique, elbow a little removed.

For the perpendicular, elbow more removed.

For the second oblique, elbow most removed.

Wrist lines.

Finger and thumb lines.

Wrist lines.]

It may also be interesting to notice, with regard to the movements by which lines are produced, that they are divided into two systems; the first is that of the wrist, which includes the horizontal, and lines in nearly the same direction; the second is that of the fingers and thumb, by which all other lines are formed. The following diagram exhibits the two systems and their various lines grouped, and it will be observed that there is a space marked (a) between the two sets, which may be considered neutral ground. Lines in this direction may be produced by either movement, as may be most convenient, but it will always be found that these lines are the most trying to the hand.