Diligence Before Speed; Drawing in Company
Judge lights and shadows slowly until edges blend like smoke; why working among others sharpens study
Three matters of drawing pedagogy fill this folio. The games of the previous chapter close with the maxim that good judgment of the eye is the principal act of painting. In 'That One Must First Learn Diligence Rather Than Quick Practice,' Leonardo urges the student to draw slowly, weighing the degrees of light and shade and their soft, smoke-like blending, so that fluent practice will follow of itself. A final chapter argues that drawing in company is far better than alone, since shame, wholesome emulation and the example of others all spur good study. A brief marginal note stands beside the chapter heading, not included in the transcription.
On this page
Good eye-judgment, the principal act of painting
The measuring games conclude with a test of who best draws a line of one braccio, checked against a stretched thread. Such games, Leonardo says, foster good judgment by eye, which he calls the principal act of painting.
Draw slowly; blend light and shade like smoke
For good study, draw slowly and judge which lights hold the first degree of brightness and which shadows are darkest, how they mingle and in what quantity, and where lineaments turn and are more or less evident. Above all, unite shadows and lights without strokes or marks, after the manner of smoke, and fluent practice will then come unawares.
Why it is better to draw in company
Drawing in company is much better than alone: shame at being seen insufficient spurs good study, and wholesome envy drives one to join the more praised. One also takes up the manners of those who do better, and, being better than others, profits by shunning their failings.
Untranscribed marginal note
A short handwritten annotation appears in the margin beside the chapter heading on learning diligence. It is not part of the supplied transcription and is not read here; only its presence is recorded.