The photograph at the right shows an example of the first exercise the students do when they enter the atelier. The student sets up a model, as closely as possible to a drawing board, taking care not to move the model or the board throughout the course of the exercise. The student stands several feet back from the model, and marks a position on the floor, so the model is always seen from exactly the same point of view. The student then draws a representation, exactly the same size as the model, as seen from a fixed position. Moving one’s eyes back and forth between the model and the drawing facilitates the observation of any difference in shape or tone. The difference “jumps,” just as we perceive movement when comparing two consecutive frames of motion picture film.
Sight-size exercises by Elizabeth del Campo
The sight-size method was a respected part of the process of painting for centuries, but was largely forgotten in the 20th century. See Nicholas Beer's essay "Sight-Size, an Historical Overview."
