Bargue Copies

 

Students begin their studies by copying two-dimensional images of drawings produced by Charles Bargue (1825-1883) in a 19th-century publication called Cours de dessin (Drawing Course), which were designed to assist beginning students learn to draw objects and figures realistically and accurately from life. Students aim to make their copies exact down to a fraction of a millimeter. They do not transfer measurements using a mechanical method (sight-size) but instead rely on their eyes by making comparative measurements. These are challenging exercises that help students refine their vision and also introduce them to the method of constructing a drawing using comparative measurement.

Typically each student copies a few drawings in pencil and one in Charcoal, beginning with a very simple profile or body part, and progressing to more and more complicated subjects.

Below are a few examples of some student copies done in pencil and in charcoal.