Select a thin quality of tracing-paper, and, when about to use it, wipe both sides with a soft rag, slightly moistened with oil of lavender. This will make it still more transparent, and enable the amateur to see the copy better, and to follow the outlines more closely and clearly in every detail and feature of the subject. Place the tracing paper over the design, and go over every outline with a sharp pointed lead-pencil, a soft one is preferred, because a light stroke is all that is then sufficient. There is no necessity to use pressure, and with a hard pencil this is involuntarily done. This process demands considerable nicety and precision, and only experience will tech the value of extreme accuracy. Perhaps a slight deviation in the outlines of a floral design may not be observed, indeed, may not be incorrect ; but to vary the lines of the human face would be fatal. A hair's breadth would destroy a likeness, whether it be added or taken from, either eyes, nose, or mouth.
Having obtained a clean, clear, and correct reproduction of the copy, brush the back of the tracing lightly with powdered graphite. This is the same substance from which lead-pencils are made, and is reduced to an almost impalpable powder.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
OTHER ACCESSORIES page 86
This a japanned tin box, and is fitted with lid or cover, which prevents rapid evaporation. A smaller box fits inside, with a sieve in the middle. Brushes can receive a thorough cleansing in this box, without disturbing the sediment at the bottom. A wire fastened across the top is to press out the superfluous turpentine.
TRACING
If a design is to be copied exactly, tracing-paper with facilitate the process. In conjunction with the tracing paper, there is often used a colored carbon or transferring-paper. Red or black is preferable. Both of these, however, have a soft, smutty surface, and make with the slightest pressure a think, heavy mark, that is very undesirable. It is almost impossible to use it for fine work, like an intricate geometrical border, with thin, narrow lines, or for features of a small face, as in a Cupid.
There is a much better way of tracing and transferring the design to be painted, - a way in which this impression paper is dispensed with altogether. This methods is not only easier and cleaner, but gives better and more accurate results.
TRACING
If a design is to be copied exactly, tracing-paper with facilitate the process. In conjunction with the tracing paper, there is often used a colored carbon or transferring-paper. Red or black is preferable. Both of these, however, have a soft, smutty surface, and make with the slightest pressure a think, heavy mark, that is very undesirable. It is almost impossible to use it for fine work, like an intricate geometrical border, with thin, narrow lines, or for features of a small face, as in a Cupid.
There is a much better way of tracing and transferring the design to be painted, - a way in which this impression paper is dispensed with altogether. This methods is not only easier and cleaner, but gives better and more accurate results.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
OTHER ACCESSORIES page 85
or clove oil, or alcohol. A few drops of either is sufficient.
Right here, perhaps, it is as well as anywhere to state that " a few drops" has frequently proved a stumbling-block to beginners. They are often advised to add " a few drops " of this or that oil, or, to be very definite, " two drops" of one kind, or "five drops" of another. This may sound Very definite, but, as a matter of fact, is misleading.
A drop is very variable quantity. A drop poured from a bottle is rather more than it dropped from the point of a fine needle ; and this, in turn, is considerably less than if dropped from the blunt end of a brush handle, or even from the brush itself, if of large size.
Besides, the specific gravity of these different oils and the state of the weather must be considered. A drop of thick oil is larger in bulk and weight that a drop of lavender-oil is or spirits of turpentine, and both are larger when cold than warm. It is therefore a somewhat relative term among china-painters, to indicate a very small quantity, rather than to be taken literally, as in medicine, where it is so necessary to be accurate that it is regulated, and the dropper for correct measurement accompanies the bottle.
If one intend to do constant work, a brush washer will be very desirable,
Right here, perhaps, it is as well as anywhere to state that " a few drops" has frequently proved a stumbling-block to beginners. They are often advised to add " a few drops " of this or that oil, or, to be very definite, " two drops" of one kind, or "five drops" of another. This may sound Very definite, but, as a matter of fact, is misleading.
A drop is very variable quantity. A drop poured from a bottle is rather more than it dropped from the point of a fine needle ; and this, in turn, is considerably less than if dropped from the blunt end of a brush handle, or even from the brush itself, if of large size.
Besides, the specific gravity of these different oils and the state of the weather must be considered. A drop of thick oil is larger in bulk and weight that a drop of lavender-oil is or spirits of turpentine, and both are larger when cold than warm. It is therefore a somewhat relative term among china-painters, to indicate a very small quantity, rather than to be taken literally, as in medicine, where it is so necessary to be accurate that it is regulated, and the dropper for correct measurement accompanies the bottle.
If one intend to do constant work, a brush washer will be very desirable,
Friday, July 23, 2010
Other Accessories page 84
Moreover, if the painting is not satisfactory, it may be washed entirely off with a few drops of lavender-oil on a rag, and the drawing will not be disturbed. This not only saves time, but also the labor of redrawing the design, which is frequently an uninteresting process, and apt to be tiresome if one is compelled to repeat it many times.
The ordinary lead-pencil may be used to make a sketch ; but the hard, glossy surface of china does not readily lend itself to this medium. The china must be prepared by wiping it over with a rag moistened with turpentine, and it will be found to respond at once to every stroke of the pencil.
When this method is employed, however, there are two distinct disadvantages, - the pencil marks are easily obliterated while painting, and thus the drawing may be lost ; and the film of turpentine, distributed over the china, leaves an unpleasant surface to paint on, one that is from agreeable, and that interferes with good work.
If Sketching is more easily accomplished with a lead-pencil, the drawing maybe gone over with India ink, and then the turpentine cleaned off the china before applying the color. There is nothing so desirable to paint on as perfectly clean china, and nothing so exasperating as to try and lay a smooth wash over a sticky surface.
Turpentine is easily removed by either lavender
The ordinary lead-pencil may be used to make a sketch ; but the hard, glossy surface of china does not readily lend itself to this medium. The china must be prepared by wiping it over with a rag moistened with turpentine, and it will be found to respond at once to every stroke of the pencil.
When this method is employed, however, there are two distinct disadvantages, - the pencil marks are easily obliterated while painting, and thus the drawing may be lost ; and the film of turpentine, distributed over the china, leaves an unpleasant surface to paint on, one that is from agreeable, and that interferes with good work.
If Sketching is more easily accomplished with a lead-pencil, the drawing maybe gone over with India ink, and then the turpentine cleaned off the china before applying the color. There is nothing so desirable to paint on as perfectly clean china, and nothing so exasperating as to try and lay a smooth wash over a sticky surface.
Turpentine is easily removed by either lavender
Other Accessories page 83
The two best shapes are those as represented in cuts 16 and 17. not shown Either will answer the purpose. No. 16 is entirely new in size, being a 2 1/2 inch blade, while its shape is the old familiar regulation spatula.
OTHER ACCESSORIES
A lithographic pencil is most frequently use to draw the design in free hand on china. This is especially useful where it is done in a quick, light, sketchy manner, where the outline is simply indicated, without regard to finished detail. In painting over it, as soon as the brush comes in contact with the drawing every vestige will disappear.
The drawing with a lithographic pencil is obliterated so easily, that it is not to be recommended to those who would become confused by any loss of outlines, and unable to proceed without the drawing.
For this class it is advisable to make the drawing secure, by doing it with India ink. carmine, or any vegetable color, may be substituted, provided it is a water-color. These will all fire away, and possess the additional advantage of remaining intact during painting. The mineral-colors are mixed with oil, the sketching-colors with water ; therefore, it is obvious that, as oil and water don not readily mix, the drawing remains.
OTHER ACCESSORIES
A lithographic pencil is most frequently use to draw the design in free hand on china. This is especially useful where it is done in a quick, light, sketchy manner, where the outline is simply indicated, without regard to finished detail. In painting over it, as soon as the brush comes in contact with the drawing every vestige will disappear.
The drawing with a lithographic pencil is obliterated so easily, that it is not to be recommended to those who would become confused by any loss of outlines, and unable to proceed without the drawing.
For this class it is advisable to make the drawing secure, by doing it with India ink. carmine, or any vegetable color, may be substituted, provided it is a water-color. These will all fire away, and possess the additional advantage of remaining intact during painting. The mineral-colors are mixed with oil, the sketching-colors with water ; therefore, it is obvious that, as oil and water don not readily mix, the drawing remains.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
OTHER ACCESSORIES page 82
time, it would be fully developed in the kiln, and would prove fatal.
It is on this account that a horn or bone knife is to be recommended. These are inventions for the careless, thoughtless, disorderly and untidy student.
Accidents from these causes are entirely inexcusable. There are enough difficulties to encounter and overcome naturally, without adding the unpardonable on of slovenliness.
A good flexible steel knife is quite sufficient for every purpose, even for gold, not withstanding all that has been written and said to the contrary.
Keep it clean, and take care of it, and it will be serviceable many years. But for those who neglect these precautions, horn and bone knives are provided ; but it is a sad commentary on our habits, not to be able to use a steel knife, even for gold.
It is on this account that a horn or bone knife is to be recommended. These are inventions for the careless, thoughtless, disorderly and untidy student.
Accidents from these causes are entirely inexcusable. There are enough difficulties to encounter and overcome naturally, without adding the unpardonable on of slovenliness.
A good flexible steel knife is quite sufficient for every purpose, even for gold, not withstanding all that has been written and said to the contrary.
Keep it clean, and take care of it, and it will be serviceable many years. But for those who neglect these precautions, horn and bone knives are provided ; but it is a sad commentary on our habits, not to be able to use a steel knife, even for gold.
OTHER ACCESSORIES-PALLETTE KNIVES page 81
incline, the color naturally seeks its level in the deepest part.
This is an admirable arrangement, and keeps colors entirely under control, the divisions keeping them apart.
It can be kept in a box, or covered, when not in use.
One or two palette knives will needful, to mix and grind colors. These come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. They are made from ivory, bone, horn, and steel. One of the latter is necessary, and, provided it is kept immaculately clean and free from any possibility of rust, will prove all-sufficient. Rust is the oxide of iron (from which certain reds are made) ; and it will effectually ruin some colors, - blues for instance, - if incorporated with them.
Although this would be imperceptible at the
This is an admirable arrangement, and keeps colors entirely under control, the divisions keeping them apart.
It can be kept in a box, or covered, when not in use.
One or two palette knives will needful, to mix and grind colors. These come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. They are made from ivory, bone, horn, and steel. One of the latter is necessary, and, provided it is kept immaculately clean and free from any possibility of rust, will prove all-sufficient. Rust is the oxide of iron (from which certain reds are made) ; and it will effectually ruin some colors, - blues for instance, - if incorporated with them.
Although this would be imperceptible at the
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
page 80
intervals, and reserve the rest of the space for mixing tints and trying the brush.
Another palette, quite convenient if powder colors are used, consists of a china box, with a lid. This box contains a number of little hemispherical spaces or sunken wells, to hold the colors.
This has on special advantage, inasmuch as, having a cover to protect the colors from dust, it may be kept quite clean, and in good condition for use for a long time. The lid may be utilized to mix colors upon ; although a tile is much more desirable, and will be found very convenient in conjunction with this sort of palette.
Still another palette much in vogue, and to be recommended in preference to any other, especially for those who paint constantly, is a double slant. This contains slanting spaces to hold a dozen colors, six on each side : and, being on an
Another palette, quite convenient if powder colors are used, consists of a china box, with a lid. This box contains a number of little hemispherical spaces or sunken wells, to hold the colors.
This has on special advantage, inasmuch as, having a cover to protect the colors from dust, it may be kept quite clean, and in good condition for use for a long time. The lid may be utilized to mix colors upon ; although a tile is much more desirable, and will be found very convenient in conjunction with this sort of palette.
Still another palette much in vogue, and to be recommended in preference to any other, especially for those who paint constantly, is a double slant. This contains slanting spaces to hold a dozen colors, six on each side : and, being on an
late posting
I have been gone and unable to enter into the porcelain Chronicles but now will continue...I have been also painting heavy with the brush...thank you for your patience.
John
John
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)