A Treatise on Painting
by Leonardo da Vinci, translated by John Francis Rigaud
How to detach Figures from the Ground
4014107A Treatise on Painting — How to detach Figures from the GroundJohn Francis RigaudLeonardo da Vinci

Chap. CCLXVI.How to detach Figures from the Ground.

All solid bodies will appear to have a greater relief, and to come more out of the canvass, on a ground of an undetermined colour, with the greatest variety of lights and shades against the confines of such bodies (as will be demonstrated in its place), provided a proper diminution of lights in the white tints, and of darkness in the shades, be judiciously observed.