The Art of Architectural Modelling in Paper

by T. A. Richardson

MODELLING KNIVES.

This instrument will be found particularly useful in cutting the necessary mitres for joining together the edges of the work, or for any other work of similar description, such as the copings to walls, mouldings of every description, &c., &c. Having now described these very important instruments in a way we hope may prove perfectly intelligible, we proceed to state the requirements in those necessary ones, knives. The number of these the artist will use, is regulated more by his own fancy than anything else; but there are three shapes he will find absolutely necessary. In modelling, as in painting, there are numerous tricks and contrivances for producing various effects; and as the painter will often value a bit of old scrubby, worn-down brush, so the modeller will find various cutting instruments materially assist him, such as the broken blade of a knife, a steel pen, a bradawl, &c., &c., many of these producing effects that more elaborate instruments would have failed doing. On page [33] will be found an engraving representing three requisite varieties of knives. No. 1. This knife is long in the blade, and, as will be found in all the others, is perfectly straight on the cutting edge; this knife is used to cut straight lines in all directions through strong work, cutting oblique lines, mitres, splays, &c. No. 2. One for lighter work used in forming or modelling ornaments, or, in general, cutting work of a lighter and neater character. No. 3. This blade is used solely for cutting all descriptions of circular work, and curves of every description. It may be useful to remark that this is the only shape of blade that will cut, with clearness and sharpness, curved lines through thick cardboard. The instrument next illustrated is called a knife compass, and is extremely valuable for cutting out circular architraves, &c., &c., doing its work in a way that the hand and knife could not equal, and with the least possible trouble. See illustration, page [36]. They resemble, in some respects, an ordinary pair of compasses, but of a little stronger make than the common. A is a moveable sweep of brass, to regulate the opening of the legs of the compasses, which, being opened to the requisite width, are firmly held by tightening the thumb-screw, F. B, the moveable leg to which the cutting-knife C is attached by means of a shoulder to the blade at G, and a socket at H, into which it fixes, and is secured by the screw at D. E and I are two screws working on the rod, K, on each side of the moveable bar, B.

THE KNIFE COMPASS.

By means of this contrivance the knife is always kept perfectly upright, and in consequence cuts perpendicularly through the cardboard. There may be several knives to fit in the socket for light and heavy work, but a blade of the same shape as that shown in the engraving, will be found sufficient for nearly every purpose. The instrument might perhaps be more useful if half as large again as represented. The dotted lines are given to show the instrument open wider, in order fully to illustrate the utility of the moveable leg at B. The method of using this instrument is this: Having a curve to cut, and having found the centre of the arc, place the point of the leg L within it, then adjusting the moveable leg to the perpendicular by means of the screws I and E, stretch the legs to the requisite radius, and by gradually increasing the pressure on the blade, the curve may be cut with the most perfect ease and truth.

H L Horizontal line.

PART III.
THE COMMENCEMENT AND FINISH OF A MODEL.

Assuming that the student has now procured the various instruments and materials for his work, and that he has also determined upon the design he intends in paper, the next thing necessary is to give him as far as it is possible by a book copiously illustrated, an exact description of the method of proceeding. We will therefore imagine a design which is to be modelled (see frontispiece), a Villa, in the domestic Italian style, for example; and taking it to pieces bit by bit, endeavour to raise it up again in renewed beauty and effect.

Having the four elevations, together with the ground and roof plans, the latter being essential to show the position of the chimneys, skylights, &c., we take a common drawing-board, about the size of the intended model, and upon it strain as for a drawing that size, a piece of drawing cartridge, say an inch and a half wider all round than the intended model is to be. Upon this, when dry, draw an outline plan of the intended building, not putting in any internal walls, for these will not be required as this is only to form lines whereon to erect the intended building. To make it more readily to be understood we have given a sketch of the outline plan on page [45].