CHAP. VII. [ 10]
Rules for laying on your Colours.
LAy on your Colours so smooth with your Pencil, that they may be all of one thick∣ness; for to lye thick in one place, and thin in a∣nother is odious; therefore you ought to have [ 20] a quick hand to lay them smooth before they dry, for being once dry 'tis hard to make them smooth; and to that end take your Pencils pretty full of Colour, especially when you are to cover a Garment all over; (otherwise not) for by this means you may be the better able to lay them smooth.
Some Colours are harder to lay on than other, as Red Lead, Bice, Verditer, Smalt, &c. as being of a more Sandy and grittish a nature, so that the greater care ought to be taken therein. [ 30]
Always lay on the Lightest Colour first, and then proceed to the shadows.
Directions for bestowing your Lights.
LEt all your Lights be placed one way in the whole Work; as if the Light falls side ways on your Picture, and you must make the other side, as being farthest from the Light darkest, and so let your Lights be placed altogether on the one side, [ 40] and not in confusion, as by making of both sides alike Lightned, as if it stood in the midst of ma∣ny Lights, for the Light doth not with all its bright∣ness illuminate any more than that part, which is directly opposite to it.
Another Reason is taken from the Nature of your Eye; for the first part of the Body coming thereunto with a bigger Angle, is more distinctly seen; so likewise the second part be∣ing [ 50] further off, comes to the Eye in a lesser Angle, and being lesser lightned is not so plainly seen as the first. By this Rule, if you are to Draw two or three Men standing together, one behind another, although all of them receive equally the Light, yet the second being farther from the Eye must of necessity be made darker than the first, and the third most dark.
That part of the Body that standeth farthest out must be made lightest, by reason it cometh nearest the Light, and the Light loseth so much [ 60] of its brightness, by how much any part of the Body bends inwards; because those Parts that stick out do hinder the brightness of the Light from those Parts that fall more inward: There∣fore how much one Part of the Body sticks out beyond the other, it must be made so much lighter▪ and if it falls more inward▪ it must be made so much darker. Also, that Part of the Body must be made lightest that hath the Light most directly opposite to it; as if the Light be placed above the Head, then the Top of the Head must be the lightest, the Shoulders less light, and so losing by degrees.
Sattins, Silks, or the like bright shining Stuffs which have certain bright Reflexions exceeding Light, sudden bright Glances, especially where the Light falls brightest; and so the Reflexions are less bright, by how much the Garment falls more in∣ward from the Light.
Directions about choosing Pencils.
LEt your Pencils be clean, sharp Pointed, not cleaving in two, but full and thick next the Quill, and so descending into a round and sharp Point: If you find any one Hair longer than another, take it away with the Flame of a Candle. You can't be without two Dozen of Pencils at the least for all your Colours, and their Shadows.
Those Pencils that you use for Gold and Sil∣ver, keep them only for that purpose.