In the delineation of a valley between parallel mountain ranges, keep in mind the proportionate height of mountains to width of valley; for example, think of the apparent width of street or railroad track at the farther end, in comparison with the width of the same close by you, and also notice that it decreases in definiteness as it recedes into the distance. Note the width of the valley in [Fig. 4].
[Fig. 5] represents land sloping from us as it recedes. Note the more definite lines in the foreground, indicating some detail of structure, and the indefiniteness, or less distinct lines that indicate the distant hills, these lines becoming more and more indistinct as the hills recede.
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LAND SLOPING TOWARDS THE OBSERVER. QUALITY OF LINE. RELATIONS.
Each line drawn has its own characteristic meaning—its own individuality, so to speak. It not only represents direction, but carries with it a certain quality of effort or mentality, as indecision, fear, courage, certainty. (See [Fig. 6, a. b. c.]) We also see in it the habitual mental attitude of the delineator. This is plainly seen in the quality of line used by the timid, contrasted with that of the fearless—by the unstable or changeable mind in contrast to one who is clear in his thought (who “knows his own mind”) and positive in his expression. (d. c. e.)
It follows, then, that to draw a firm line with ease and rapidity, one must have a positive knowledge of what one desires to express, just the length of the line and its relation to all other lines; that is, one must see things or objects in their right relations. All things in the universe are related to each other—nothing stands alone. The mountain is closely related to the valley, it has given of its substance to build and enrich the latter, and its streams have carried nourishment to help swell the river at its base.
In its delineation, therefore, one must keep in mind the relation of its height to the width of the valley, and to the plateau on which it may stand; the declivity of its slopes, and their relation to the vertical direction, which may be seen as an imaginary line drawn from the center of the base to the zenith.