555

On the choice of light for a picture.

OF THE TREATMENT OF THE LIGHTS.

First give a general shadow to the whole of that extended part which is away from the light. Then put in the half shadows and the strong shadows, comparing them with each other and, in the same way give the extended light in half tint, afterwards adding the half lights and the high lights, likewise comparing them together.

Taken from The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci edited by Jean Paul Richter, 1880.

Notebooks of Leonoardo da Vinci

VIII: Botany for Painters and Elements of Landscape Painting.

. . .

On the choice of a position.

536,

The apparent size of figures in a picture.

538,

spectator.

540,

541,

542,

543,

544,

545,

546,

Gradations of light and shade.

On the choice of light for a picture.

549,

550,

551,

552,

553,

554,

The distribution of light and shade.

556,

557,

558,

The juxtaposition of light and shade.

560,

On the lighting of the background.

562,

563,

564,

On the lighting of white objects.

The methods of aerial.

567,

568,

569,

Of sketching figures and portraits.

571,

The position of the head.

Of the light on the face.

574,

. . .