LIGHT AND SHADE WITH CHAPTERS ON CHARCOAL, PENCIL, AND BRUSH DRAWING A MANUAL FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS BY ANSON K. CROSS Instructor in the Massachusetts Normal Art School, and in the School of Drawing and BOSTON, U.S.A., AND LONDON The Athenæum Press 1897 PREFACE. THE text-books of the National Drawing Course are intended particularly for public school teachers; but this book is written, not only for public school teachers, but for all art students and others interested in art education. It supplements the first book of the series ("Free-Hand Drawing "), and shows how the methods explained in it may be applied in the study of light and shade. Good instruction in drawing must be based upon the principles which underlie the best in art, and therefore any book which is intended for the student and elementary teacher must present these principles, and must also show how students may be led to see, think, and work independently. The books "Free-Hand Drawing," "Mechanical Drawing," and "Color Study" form a necessary part of the National Drawing Course, as they contain the lessons in these different subjects which are to be given according to the order specified in the teacher's "Outlines of Lessons." "Light and Shade" contains no lessons or other work called for in the plan of study of the present system, for it is not considered wise to attempt light and shade in the public schools until pupils have gained more ability in free-hand drawing than they now generally acquire below the high school. In presenting, in the "Outlines of Lessons," work in outline simply, the author does not wish to be understood as in favor of this work only, or as holding the opinion that light and shade cannot be taught in the public schools with advantage in grades below the high schools. On the contrary, he believes that this subject may under suitable conditions be properly introduced into grammar schools when pupils are able to draw in outline with some degree of facility and truth. This book is written for those who wish to study the first principles of light and shade, and the details concerning mediums, technique, and the many points upon which the student must be informed. It is written with the hope that it may assist students, and particularly those who work at home, to study intelligently, so that all may go to Nature as the first and best teacher, and be prepared to discover in her the truths she unfolds to those who study her seriously. Many of the illustrations of this book are from students' drawings, and though they do not reproduce the drawings perfectly, they give an idea of what may be accomplished by students who are taught to work artistically, and to depend upon themselves and upon study of nature. Figs. 43, 44, and 58 are by second-year students of the Massachusetts Normal Art School; the other charcoal drawings of Chap. V are by students of the entering class of the same school, as is also Fig. 62. Figs. 63, 64, and 65 are by students of the School of Drawing and Painting of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Such work can seldom be done in the public schools until conditions are very different from those now existing; but teachers can give instruction of an artistic nature which will be in harmony with the work of the best artists, and which will prepare for work such as that illustrated. Those Only the essentials can be given in this book. who wish to go more deeply into theories and principles will find many interesting books. Among these the works of Sir Joshua Reynolds are particularly valuable, as he is a prominent example of a great artist who has also written upon art, and all art students are advised to study his writings with care. The author desires to express his obligations to Robert W. Vonnoh, G. A. Hill, and Amy Swain, who have kindly read the proof sheets and furnished him with many valuable suggestions. BOSTON, October 12, 1896. ANSON K. CROSS. |
