Vernon Blake

The Art And Craft Of Drawing Vernon Blake

Publisher Marketing: PREFACE ONE of my principal intentions in writing this book was to point out the uselessness of attempting, first, to separate the abstract from the technical aspect of art and, secondly, the equal folly of seeking to split up technique into various, but supposititious, compartments. This desire led me to avoid, to a great extent, the method of dividing into chapters and into paragraphs classed according to the compartment treated. If method there be in the composing of this book, it consists in examining any given drawing under all its aspects, however distinct they may be from one another ac- cording to accepted tenets. Though such system-or lack of system-may possibly, do its work in calling attention to the fundamental homogeneity of artistic expression, it is evident that it is not a form of presentation convenient for reference and for study. In order to palliate this defect to some extent, I have taken considerable trouble with the index or rather with the indexes, for it has been decided to assemble all anatomical terms, together with those dealing with the construction, and allied matters, into a separate list. This decision alone will simplify the finding of any particular point connected with the actual practice of figure-drawing. Again, to further this end I have in many cases indicated, in black Clarendon type, the references to the pages on which the particular subject receives its fullest treatment. It is obviously impossible to carry out such a plan in a strictly methodical way, for it becomes a matter of mere opinion to decide which reference is, and which just fails to be, worthy of heavy type. At the same time my intention is that this book should be of more use to the student as a general training in outlook upon art, upon its meaning, and upon its methods, than as a craftsmans book of reference. Indeed, I have more than once in its pages referred the reader to other works should he require more detailed information on any special point. On the whole I have tried to include in these pages information not readily accessible elsewhere, and have omitted such facts as may be found with ease in existing text- books. The Clarendon Press has not thought fit to fall in with my notions as to the general appearance of the book, hence the text implies one point of view, the appearance. of the book belies it.....