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.
Fig. 56.
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.