460 



drawing we take for granted has been made two or three 

 diameters larger than it is desired to appear as a finished plate. 

 The advantages of drawing larger than the size of the illustra- 

 tion required, is that it allows of a coarser line which is con- 

 ducive to blackness or density in the lines used. This is an 

 all-important matter. Drawings made the same size generally 

 have a lot of weak lines which are reproduced in the negative 

 as grey as distinguished from the clear glass of a black line. 

 The grey line in the engraver's parlance comes up ^'rotten" 

 and not giving sufficient resistance to the acid used in etching, 

 is etched away or lost and the engraving assumes a bald or 

 ragged apearance. Having carefully fastened your pencil 

 drawing by two or more corners to the Ross or Bristol board, 

 place vour transfer paper coated side down on the Ross l)oard 

 beneath the drawing, then take a tracing point and go over your 

 drawing line for line, raising your copy and transfer paper at 

 intervals to assure yourself that you have not missed any por- 

 tion of the drawing. When a complete tracing has been made 

 remove your ])encil sketch and cover your copy with the excep- 

 tion of the portion you wish to work on with a clean piece of 

 paper and proceed to put in your heaviest lines and portions of 

 solid black. Your lines should curve with the curvature of the 

 surface you are representing. Pits, protuberances and hollows 

 should be shown by careful drawing, trying at all times to keep 

 your lines open and free from any scratchiness and breaks. To 

 one not used to line, sti]iple is far simpler and may be used 

 to advantage. When your drawing is complete, your figures 

 numbered or lettered, carefully rub out your tracing lines with 

 stale bread or soft rubber, mark the reduction in blue pencil on 

 the margin clear of the drawing and it is ready for the en- 

 graver. 



We will now follow the drawing in its course of reproduc- 

 tion. The engraver having satisfied himself of the reduction 

 r(Mpiii'('(I and focussed accurately takes a collodion plate and 

 immerses it in a silver bath, then inserts it into a dark slide or 

 ])hite-cai'rier and exposes it by the aid of the electric light for 



