ON FIGURES FORMED OF STRAIGHT LINES.
Before commencing this subject, let it be clearly understood that future success will, in a great measure, depend upon the amount of care bestowed upon it. The aim should be to obtain absolute accuracy, and for this end the copies should be tested by the most careful measurements, and corrected until they are true with the originals, but it should be distinctly understood that these measurements are only to be made after the eye and hand have done their best.
Note.—To some it may appear that too much time and care has been bestowed on mere lines, but let it be understood that a good system of line drawing is the basis of all education—the slightest outline by a hand thus trained has a bold, free and masterly character; and with regard to shading, which is simply an aggregation of good lines, it is only by such a practiced hand its most charming effects can be produced.
[Fig. 66]: Place the points A, B. Examine them to see that they are the same distance apart as in the original, and that they are level; place the point C exactly under A, and make A C equal in distance to A B; now place the point D opposite C and under B; try the distances between each point to see that they are the same; divide each side by a point half way, and then draw the lines.
[Fig. 67]: Repeat the last figure and add the lines A and B, taking great care that the points for them are correctly placed.
[Fig. 68]: Commence with the square as before; then join the half-way points.
[Fig. 69]: After the square is drawn, place the points A and B at the right height above the half-way points, and C, D at the proper distance from the corners, then draw the figure.
[Fig. 70]: The greatest care should be taken with the squares for this and the following figure, as the slightest error in them will destroy the symmetry of the drawing within; when the square is completed, join the opposite corners, and place on the crossed lines the points B, C, D, E; examine these to see that they are each at the same distance from the centre A, and that this distance is equal to the space from A to the sides of the square; when all are proved to be correct, complete the figure.
Fig. 66.
Fig. 67.
Fig. 68.
Fig. 69.
Fig. 70.
Fig. 71.
[Fig. 71]: Repeat the last drawing with, if possible, greater exactness, and outside the octagon place the points A, B, C, D, etc.; examine each of these points to see that they are all at the same distance from the centre, and then complete the figure.