Straight edge and other

Drawing instruments.

Scrap book,

Finder.

Drawing Paper for Pencil. Take some pains in selecting drawing paper for pencil drawing if an assortment is at hand, for there is one thing that may be depended on and that is that it is almost impossible to do satisfactory work on very smooth or very soft paper. Pencil drawing requires a grained surface to work upon, that is to say, a rough finished paper. Rough-surfaced manila paper is well adapted for the pencil, especially for practice work.

Drawing Paper for Pen Work. Smooth paper is generally to be preferred, nevertheless, it should not be so highly finished as to repel ink, neither should it be so coarse as to absorb it. The paper should be sufficiently firm to withstand erasures of the pencil marks after the pen lines are dry, or erasures of the pen lines themselves by means of the ink eraser. If there is a fuzzy appearance on the surface after the rubber eraser has been passed over it it is an indication that the paper is too soft. On the other hand, if the ink lines dry unevenly, as if on an oily surface, it is a sign that the paper is too smooth that the ink does not take hold. Should it be necessary to use one kind of paper for both pencil and pen, procure medium rough linen paper. The so-called ''bond" and "ledger'' papers are excellent for pen-and-ink work. Where expense does not enter into consideration, the best combination paper for pencil, pen or brush is Whatman's "hot-pressed." It is too expensive to be used for sketching and practice purposes.

The main objections to drawing books is the difficulty of maintaining a flat surface. Tablets or blocks are preferable, but separate sheets are the best. These should be fastened upon drawing boards of sufficient area to allow an inch at the bottom and each side. If too close there is not room for the hand to move while guiding the pencil.

Pencils are graded in numbers from the softest, No. i, to the hardest, No. 5. In letters a greater range of extremes is found between the softest 6B and the hardest 9H. Of these, the intermediate letters are the most valuable for school purposes, in the following order: In numbers running from soft to hardNos. 2, i and 3. By letters iB, 2B, HB, F and H. Further gradations may be required for more advanced work. Soft pencils with flat but rather long points are better for general sketching than hard, sharply pointed pencils. By slightly turning the flattened point the angle pressed against the paper serves for the sharpest of lines.

For purposes of pointing the lead of a pencil a bit of fine sandpaper fastened to a small block of wood is better than a penknife. Several pieces of the sandpaper may be tacked to the block at once; after being too long in use the sheets may be torn off one by one. By the foregoing means it is much easier to give to the pencil point the chisel-edge that is so often required. The drawing paper (and copy, if not too large) should be tacked to the drawing board; ordinary tacks may be used. Thumb tacks, however, are better, and as now made in one piece of steel are quite inexpensive.

Eraser for Pencil Marks.For erasing small parts on a firm drawing paper, ordinary India rubber, or Artgum may be used. If the paper is not firm, soft or kneaded rubber is the best. For cleaning large surfaces, a "sponge" rubber is good, although dry bread crumbs gently rubbed over the surface will answer the same purpose.

Fashion Design Drawing - Dress Design

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