DRAWING THE FIGURE. 393 



opportunity, it will be proper afterwards to attend 

 discussions and lectures on anatomy. 



He should also use every possible opportunity of 

 making observations on the actions of the muscles 

 in nature. 



Being thus thoroughly prepared, he will be en- 

 abled to draw the human figure with great advan- 

 tage, and he will make a more rapid progress than 

 he could have done without these previous studies. 



Symmetry, or proportion, will be best learned by 

 copying after the antique statues, of which plaster 

 casts may be easily procured. Nature, which in 

 the formation of every species seems to have aimed 

 at the last degree of perfection, does not appear to 

 have been equally solicitous in the production of 

 individuals. Parts of individuals are frequently as 

 beautiful as possible, but a complete whole is never 

 to be met with. 



The practice of the ancient Greek statuaries 

 was to select from various individuals the most 

 beautiful parts, and by combining them to pro- 

 duce figures more perfectly beautiful than nature 

 ever presented. 



Till the student has thus imbibed a proper relish 

 for beautiful proportions, and been well grounded 

 in their principles, he should not proceed to draw 

 from living models. 



In drawing from plaster casts, a good deal de- 

 pends upon choosing a proper view, and placing the 

 model properly with regard to the light, which 

 should always come in obliquely from above, as it 

 generally does in the daytime. If a candle be used, 

 it should be so high as to cast the light downwards 

 upon the model. The light should only come 

 from one part, as cross lights will distract and 

 spoil the shadows. 



