How to make a Deske: by meanes whereof you may draw, and that most exactly with great facilitie any printed picture, or sollid Image.
First let there be a frame made, and with hinges let be joynted unto a board of equall breadth unto it: let this frame also have two stayes at the top, at each end one, by meanes whereof the deske may be raised higher, or lower, as need shall require; then fasten to the frame a peece of pure cleare glasse fitted thereunto, and it is finished. The figure followeth.
The Deske.
The manner of using this Deske is thus. If the picture that you intend to draw be a printed one, then first fasten it next unto the Deske with waxe, paste, or such like: upon it fasten a sheet of faire paper: If it be in the day-time place the backe of it towards the Sunne; if it be in the night that you worke, place a lampe behinde it, and so you shall see perfectly every (even the least) stroake of the picture, which with your penne you may draw as acurately as any Limmer whatsoever. If it be a solid peece, then place it behinde the Deske, betweene the light and the Deske: then fasten a sheet of cleane white paper upon the Deske; raise then the Deske higher, or lower untill you see the perfect shadow of the image through your Deske, and paper, and then draw the posture of the Image, and shadow it afterwards (without the Deske) as light falleth upon it.
An easie way to take the naturall, and lively shape of the leafe of any hearbe or tree, which thing passeth the Art of man to imitate with Pen or Pensill.
First take the leafe that you would have, and gently bruise the ribs and veines on the backe side of it, afterwards wet that side with Linseed-oyle, and then presse it hard upon a peece of cleane white paper, and so you shall have the perfect figure of the said leafe, with every veine thereof, so exactly exprest as being lively coloured, it would seeme to bee truly naturall, by this we learne, that Nature being but a little adjuvated or seconded with Art, can worke wonders.
Now for the farther information of such as are desirous of exemplarie instruction, I have set downe in order following the delineation of the proportion of such things as in my judgement seemed most necessarie for young beginners, and those in such easie demonstrations as for the most part they consist of equall squares, and require no more for their right understanding, then diligent observation, I might have filled a whole Booke of such like: but having considered that what I had done, was a sufficient ground for a farther procession, I thought fitting to leave each person to the exercise and practice of his best Invention.
