The gentlemans recreation in two parts : the first being an encyclopedy of the arts and sciences ... the second part treats of horsmanship, hawking, hunting, fowling, fishing, and agriculture : with a short treatise of cock-fighting ... : all which are collected from the most authentick authors, and the many gross errors therein corrected, with great enlargements ... : and for the better explanation thereof, great variety of useful sculptures, as nets, traps, engines, &c. are added for the taking of beasts, fowl and fish : not hitherto published by any : the whole illustrated with about an hundred ornamental and useful sculptures engraven in copper, relating to the several subjects.

CHAP. II.

Of the Precepts of Drawing in general.

BE careful to be provided with all necessary things for Drawing, as Charcoals, Feathers of Ducks-Wings, Pens made of Ravens Quils, Pastils, Crions, Black and Red-Lead Pencils, Ru∣lers, and Compasses; but it will be convenient to practice as much as possible without the help of the Rule and Compass, for your Eye, and Fancy should judge thereof without Artificial Measure∣ings.

Thus being prepared with the aforesaid Neces∣saries, together with good Vellom, Parchment, or fine thick Paper, begin with plain Geometrical Figures, as Lines, Angles, Triangles, Quadrangles, Circles, Arches, Ovals, Polygons, Cones, Cylinders, and the like, for the Circle helps in all round Forms; the Oval gives a true proportion to the Face and Mouth; the Triangle in the Half-Face; the Angles and Arches are in use in Perspective, and Architecture; the Polygon in Ground-Plats,

[illustration]

To the Right Hon^ble Charles Bodvell, viscount Bodmyn Grandson and heyre to the Right Honourable Iohn Earle of Radnor &c.^a

This Plate is humbly dedicated by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Richard Blome.

and Fortification; the Cone in Spires and Tops of Towers and Steeples; and the Cylinder in Pil∣lars, Pilasters, and Columns.

Being expert and ready in general Proportions, endeavour to give every Object its due Shade, according to its Concavity or Convexity; and to elevate or depress the same, as the Object ap∣pears either nearer or farther off the Light; and this is the Life of the Work. Next proceed to draw Fruits with their Leaves, Flowers, Trees, [ 10] and the like. Next to Beasts, Fowl, Fish and Insects; And being a good proficient therein, pro∣ceed to Naked Figures of Men and Women: but first to the several parts of the Body; and then to Draperies, in all which be sure to imitate Na∣ture as much as possible; and in drawing all the aforesaid Forms you must be expert in the exact Proportions, and in the general or Out-Lines, be∣fore you venture to Shadowing.

You ought to be provided with good Patterns [ 20] or Copies to draw by, first using your Coal, and then more exactly with your Pencil, after you have fully examined it, found, and corrected the Faults, and this may be done by frequent Trials.

Being arrived to Perfection in these Particu∣lars aforesaid, you may begin to Draw by the Life. which is the best and perfectest Copy; And in all sorts of Drawing, be sure to attain to Per∣fection before you venture on Colours, for that in a short time will be attained unto, after you [ 30] are Master of the rest.