The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci Complete


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art, if you wish to have a sound knowledge of the forms of objects  
begin with the details of them, and do not go on to the second  
[step] till you have the first well fixed in memory and in practice.  
And if you do otherwise you will throw away your time, or certainly  
greatly prolong your studies. And remember to acquire diligence  
rather than rapidity.  
4
92.  
HOW THAT DILIGENCE [ACCURACY] SHOULD FIRST BE LEARNT RATHER  
THAN  
RAPID EXECUTION.  
If you, who draw, desire to study well and to good purpose, always  
go slowly to work in your drawing; and discriminate in. the lights,  
which have the highest degree of brightness, and to what extent and  
likewise in the shadows, which are those that are darker than the  
others and in what way they intermingle; then their masses and the  
relative proportions of one to the other. And note in their  
outlines, which way they tend; and which part of the lines is curved  
to one side or the other, and where they are more or less  
conspicuous and consequently broad or fine; and finally, that your  
light and shade blend without strokes and borders [but] looking like  
smoke. And when you have thus schooled your hand and your judgment  
by such diligence, you will acquire rapidity before you are aware.  
350  


Page
348 349 350 351 352

Quick Jump
1 306 613 919 1225