The right position of the hand for drawing any curved line is that
required for a straight line which would touch the extremities of the
curve. The straight lines given in the exercises are valuable, not only
as a guide to the position of the hand, but as an assistance to the eye
when forming the curves or examining them after they are produced.
[Illustration]
The direction given for drawing a straight line was to form it by one
steady movement from point to point, without any jerk or stop by the
way. This instruction requires to be changed for the curve, _which is
better produced by several short strokes_, thus:
[Illustration]
or by overlapping lines, any outside bits being cleared away with India
rubber.
These exercises will test the drawing power and try the patience of the
pupil, but they are worthy of all the care which can be bestowed, which
in future efforts will meet with its full reward.
Fig. 76: Draw first the square as directed in the previous lesson, join
the points _A_, _B_, _C_ and add the short lines at _E_ and _F_, proceed
with the curve _A B_, drawing it with faint lines at first, and adding
stroke upon stroke until the required depth is obtained; the curve _A C_
is more difficult to produce, in consequence of the formation of the
hand; it should, therefore, be drawn in shorter pieces, joining them
together afterwards by over strokes.
[Illustration: Fig. 76.]
[Illustration: Fig. 77.]
Fig. 77: Draw the square and straight lines first, then add the curves,
taking care to give the greatest fullness at the right place.
Fig. 78: Draw the square and straight lines, proceed with the curves,
taking care to make each of the same proportion.
Figs. 79 and 80: The ovals contained in these figures are simply
foreshortened circles, and as such forms are of frequent occurrence in
sketching from objects, in bridges, wheels, ends of timber, etc., they
should be carefully studied; the greatest difficulty is to turn the
narrow ends, and prevent their looking like corners. For this purpose it
is better to draw the short curves first, thus:
[Illustration]
and then join the longer sides to them.
Fig. 81: If this figure can be drawn correctly, a great success has been
achieved; the circle is a most difficult form to delineate, and without
system could not be accomplished. Draw the square and straight lines
within it with great care, examine each point of the octagon to see that
it is at the same distance from the centre, and then draw the circle.