Da Vinci Notes #30 - Difference Causes Clarity

 

The comparative size of the image depends on the amount of light

(30-39).

 

The eye will hold and retain in itself the image of a luminous body

better than that of a shaded object. The reason is that the eye is

in itself perfectly dark and since two things that are alike cannot

be distinguished, therefore the night, and other dark objects cannot

be seen or recognised by the eye.

 

Light is totally contrary and gives more distinctness, and counteracts

and differs from the usual darkness of the eye, hence it leaves the

impression of its image.

 

 

Keith's Ideas:

1. If unsure or unclear, find something related, but different to compare.

2. Things similar will cause you confused. Identifying the differentiations

    promote clarity.

3. Find friends/partners totally different from you.

 

 

Keith To

www.excelcentre.net

 

 

 

Da Vinci Notes #29 - 2-D & 3-D View

 

Let the object in relief _t_ be seen by both eyes; if you will look

at the object with the right eye _m_, keeping the left eye _n_ shut,

the object will appear, or fill up the space, at _a_;

 

and if you shut the right eye and open the left, the object (will

occupy the) space _b_; and if you open both eyes, the object will

no longer appear at _a_ or _b_, but at _e_, _r_, _f_.

 

Why will not a picture seen by both eyes produce the effect of relief,

as [real] relief does when seen by both eyes; and why should a

picture seen with one eye give the same effect of relief as real relief

would under the same conditions of light and shade?

 

Keith's Remarks: Relief =  A projection of figures or forms from a flat

background, as in sculpture

 

 

Keith's Ideas:

1. You can "see" the thing with only one eye opened, but you can't

    see it exactly. It only have a 2-D view!

2. Each eye "see" different aspects of the same thing; Both eyes

    give you a whole 3-D view.

3. A reproduction (picture, photo, rumor, etc) only reflects a single

    aspect as seen by the reproducer. No matter how to analyze a

    reproduction, you can't get the whole view. Go directly to that

    "thing" and see it by yourself.

 

 

Keith To

www.keithto.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OF THE 10 ATTRIBUTES OF THE EYE, ALL CONCERNED IN PAINTING.

 

Painting is concerned with all the 10 attributes of sight; which

are:-- Darkness, Light, Solidity and Colour, Form and Position,

Distance and Propinquity*, Motion and Rest.

 

This little work of mine will be a tissue [of the studies] of these

attributes, reminding the painter of the rules and methods by

which he should use his art to imitate all the works of Nature

which adorn the world.

 

 

* Keith's Remark: Propinquity =  Proximity; nearness

 

 

Keith's Ideas:

1. To see the world totally, you need a complete view of all

    attributes (10?!)

2. See all you can see, not what you want to see.

3. Our eyes give us the power of seeing everything.

4. Our mind gives us power to think everything.

5. It is our "wants" that limit your eyes and your mind.

 

 

Keith To

www.keithto.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Da Vinci Notes #21 - Ignorance

 

INTRODUCTION TO PERSPECTIVE:--THAT IS OF THE FUNCTION OF THE EYE.

 

Behold here O reader! a thing concerning which we cannot trust our

forefathers, the ancients, who tried to define what the Soul and

Life are--which are beyond proof, whereas those things, which can at

any time be clearly known and proved by experience, remained for

many ages unknown or falsely understood.

 

The eye, whose function we so certainly know by experience, has,

down to my own time, been defined by an infinite number of authors

as one thing; but I find, by experience, that it is quite another.

 

 

Keith's Ideas:

1. People can believe in something that haven't been proven.

2. People can ignore something that have been proven.

3. Very common things, can easily be misunderstood.

 

 

Keith To

www.keithto.ws

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Da Vinci Notes #18 - Rules

 

These rules are of use only in correcting the figures; since every

man makes some mistakes in his first compositions and he who knows

them not, cannot amend them. But you, knowing your errors, will

correct your works and where you find mistakes amend them, and

remember never to fall into them again. But if you try to apply

these rules in composition you will never make an end, and will

produce confusion in your works.

 

These rules will enable you to have a free and sound judgment; since

good judgment is born of clear understanding, and a clear

understanding comes of reasons derived from sound rules, and sound

rules are the issue of sound experience--the common mother of all

the sciences and arts. Hence, bearing in mind the precepts of my

rules, you will be able, merely by your amended judgment, to

criticise and recognise every thing that is out of proportion in a

work, whether in the perspective or in the figures or any thing

else.

 

 

Keith's Ideas:

 

1. Making Mistakes = Violating Rules

2. Then, find out the rule!

3. Mistakes again and again, why? You still don;t know the rules!

4. Rule = Right or Wrong.

5. Good Rules = Reasons + Experience

6. Don't judge anything if you don't know the rules, or you haven't
    proved the rules.

 

 

Keith To

www.keithto.com

 

 

Da Vinci Notes #16 - Diminshing When Far Away

 

THE DISCOURSE ON PAINTING

 

Perspective, as bearing on drawing, is divided into three principal

sections; of which the first treats of the diminution in the size of

bodies at different distances. The second part is that which treats

of the diminution in colour in these objects. The third [deals with]

the diminished distinctness of the forms and outlines displayed by

the objects at various distances.

 

 

Keith's Ideas:

1. When thing becomes far away (in space or time), it deminishes

    size (serousness? importance?), colours (realness?) and

    distincness (clarity).

2. Do things on site.

3. Managing by Wandering Around.

4. Do it Now!

 

 

Keith To

www.keithto.ws

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Da Vinci Notes #14 - Things Far Away

 

ON THE THREE BRANCHES OF PERSPECTIVE.

 

There are three branches of perspective; the first deals with the

reasons of the (apparent) diminution of objects as they recede from

the eye, and is known as Diminishing Perspective.--The second

contains the way in which colours vary as they recede from the eye.

The third and last is concerned with the explanation of how the

objects [in a picture] ought to be less finished in proportion as

they are remote (and the names are as follows):

 

Linear Perspective. The Perspective of Colour. The Perspective of

Disappearance.

 

 

Keith's Ideas:

1. When seeing things from far away, illusions form. Don't stay 
    too far.

2. You see things differently at different perspectives.

3. When you see your problem from far away, it becomes much less

    threatening.

4. When you plan/predict something in the far future, make it less

    concrete.

 

 

Keith To

www.keithto.com

 

 

Da Vinci Notes #13 - Different Perspectives

 

Among all the studies of natural causes and reasons, Light chiefly

delights the beholder; and among the great features of Mathematics

the certainty of its demonstrations is what preeminently (tends to)

elevate the mind of the investigator. Perspective, therefore, must

be preferred to all the discourses and systems of human learning. In

this branch [of science] the beam of light is explained on those

methods of demonstration which form the glory not so much of

Mathematics as of Physics and are graced with the flowers of both.

 

But its axioms being laid down at great length, I shall abridge them

to a conclusive brevity, arranging them on the method both of their

natural order and of mathematical demonstration; sometimes by

deduction of the effects from the causes, and sometimes arguing

the causes from the effects; adding also to my own conclusions

some which, though not included in them, may nevertheless be

inferred from them. Thus, if the Lord--who is the light of all things--

vouchsafe to enlighten me, I will treat of Light; wherefore I will

divide the present work into 3 Parts.

 

 

Keith's Ideas:

1. To truly understand something, we need to see things from different

    perspectives.

2. More importantly, be aware of which perspective you are taking all

    the time.

3. You can deduce the causes from the effects and/or induce the effects

    from the causes.

 

 

Keith To

www.keithto.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know that many will call this useless work and they will
be those of whom Demetrius declared that he took no more

account of the wind that came out their mouth in words, than of

that they expelled from their lower parts: men who desire nothing

but material riches and are absolutely devoid of that of wisdom,

which is the food and the only true riches of the mind.

 

For so much more worthy as the soul is than the body, so much more

noble are the possessions of the soul than those of the body. And

often, when I see one of these men take this work in his hand, I

wonder that he does not put it to his nose, like a monkey, or ask me

if it is something good to eat.

 

I am fully concious that, not being a literary man, certain

presumptuous persons will think that they may reasonably blame me;

alleging that I am not a man of letters. Foolish folks! Do they not

know that I might retort as Marius did to the Roman Patricians

by saying: That they, who deck themselves out in the labours of

others will not allow me my own. They will say that I, having no

literary skill, cannot properly express that which I desire to treat of

but they do not know that my subjects are to be dealt with by

experience rather than by words and has been the mistress of

those who wrote well. And so, as mistress, I will cite her in all cases.

 

 

Keith's Ideas:

1. Wisdom might not be understood by everyone.

2. Many people might be too busy in their daily lives. They might not

   be able to see the truth.

3. Something written or presented beautifully just might not be true.

 

Keith To

www.keithto.com