There are four carmines. The palest is carmine A ; the others are designated numerically, with corresponding degrees of shade, and are No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 respectively. No. 1 is more used than the others, and applied and fired intelligently is a most satisfactory color for pink flowers, draperies, etc. Everybody, however, does not make the nice discrimination between a pink and a pale red, and therefore does not appreciate the value of the gold pinks.
The difference may be easily distinguished if a sample of both a gold color and iron color (red) be fired and compared. Carmine will be a delightful pure rose pink, and the carnation, or deep red brown, will inevitably present a tinge of red with an admixture of yellow ; and while both may be equally admired, and one may serve the purpose as well as the other, it is and indisputable fact that one is pink and the other pale red.
What is here said relative to carmine is equally true about rose, English pink, and other gold pinks.
In addition to a proper degree of heat, to develop the carmines, there is another imperative fact to be rigidly observed to secure the best results, and obtain the full beauty of purity of tint. It must be applied in the thinnest washes possible ; the thinner the color, the dainty and delicate will be the tint.
