The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-10-01
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
EDITED BY E. G. TABER.
BY EMMA A. ORvIS.

Proper training in the elements of
drawing is necessary for the ready use of
the arms, hands, and fingers in every sort
of work for the use of the eye in seeing;
for understanding and remembering what
ever is presented to our sight; teaching
us to make our ideas more definite and
exact, to express them in better language.
1t is needed in the school room for the
aid which it affords other branches of
study that admit of visible illustration
for the culture of the power of attention,
arrangement, method; the sense of pro-
priety and good taste 1t affords healthy
and agreeable exercise to amuse all classes
whether the child is in the nursery the
group at play, the youth at school, or the
company at the freside or parlor social
The hand, the eye, the intellect, the SEN
sibilities, the emotions are exercised.
With circle of mirthful voices working,
commenting, arguing, what is more cheer
full. 1t especially exercises and cultivates
the imagination and invention.
As people we are behindhand in the
art of drawing. The deficiency is great
in our common schools
The subject must be made interesting
in order to its successful introduction.
We must know only of its Importance.
1t is useful to study and discuss the
subjects of beauty, form, color sublimity,
art. To study them in nature, in the sky,
earth, water; in architecture, sculpture,
painting; in common things gardens,
grounds, fences, buildings in decorations,
dress, manners, movements; in engravings,
photographs, books, pictures, everything
that meets the sight. But the chief agen-
cy, at the foundation of interest as well as
success, is systematic, attentive diligent
work, for purpose of culture
Attempts merely to entertain and please,
to help out the work with the finishing
touch Of the teacher, are temporary ex-
pedients and worse than useless.
Let the pupil work out his own progress,
by patient diligent practice with no aid
from others except for explanation, direc-
ton and encouragement. Let him feel
that what he does is his own. Attend to
one single point at a time. Follow strict
system and regularity in the time and
method of practice Work much in con-
cert and with uniform motion by counting.
Pupils should compare work frequently,
notice each others defects and successes.
Trying to be careful, neat and tasteful.
Teachers should not see too many faults
at once. A different size work from the
copy to express the idea and relative pro-
portions, thereby avoiding the temptation
to trace or measure is desirable for prac-
tice. With different materials, pen, pen
Gil, or chalk, avoiding the mechanical aids,
using the free hand and eye in all element
ary training.
Ready, rapid, approximate work, for
beginners, is worth more than carefully
finished drawing. Ink is also better than
pencil or crayon, because it works more
easily, and cannot be erased, therefore in
culcates habits of neatness and accuracy.
One set of lines must dry before others
can be drawn. Cheap simple materials,
| plain white paper is most convenient for
elementary work.
Exercise, train and strengthen all the
muscles of both arms, both hands, and all
| the fingers. Then the left hand as well
as the right, and all the fingers will be
ready to help somewhat in drawing and
writing. Not that every person should
be so trained as to use in everything his
left hand as well as his right. This could
be done, if necessary That it is possibly
demonstrated by the common employ
ment of the left hand on the piano or
other musical instruments where both
hands are necessary All should train
themselves, to some extent, so that they
could write, draw or do any other necessa-
ry work with the left or right hand And
should not allow themselves by any inces-
SAINT action, to weary, render unsteady or
powerless the overtasked muscles of the
right hand. Drawing gymnastics favors
and supplies these wants, in part as an aid
in practice