138 SCIOPTICON MANUAL. 



the color with the brush after it is once applied, so we 

 must be able to do what we wish with a very few bold 

 strokes. We don't mind about trees, spires, &c., we can 

 take the sky tint off from them where we wish to do 

 so afterwards (before the color is dry) with a sable 

 brush, slightly moistened with ol. turpentine, but the 

 brush must not contain enough to spread at all on the 

 surface, otherwise the color will flow away from the line 

 we wish to establish, and form a ridge on the sky. 



A better way to apply sky tints is to stipple or daub 

 the surface with a little paint on the end of the finger. 

 In this way all the finest skies are painted by the best 

 artists who make pictures for the magic lantern, but the 

 process is one that can only be learned by many trials 

 and much practice. 



After the sky is painted and removed from places 

 where it is not wanted, distant hills next receive our 

 attention, successively working upon objects nearer and 

 nearer, until the whole picture has received its first 

 painting. Except for skies the colors will not need 

 thinning with ol. turpentine. 



The picture should now be put out of the way of dust 

 and sunshine, and where it will dry. The next day such 

 parts as need can be repainted, and, if necessary, any 

 successive number of coats can be applied, allowing a 

 day between each for the paint to dry. When com- 

 pleted, it only remains to put on a mat and cover and 

 fasten the edges with paper strips. Flour paste (too 

 stiff to allow moisture to be drawn up between the plates) 

 is the best. 



When in use, that is when changing from one color 

 to another, the brushes can be cleaned with ol. turpen- 

 tine. But when the brushes are to be put away, they 

 should be washed with warm water and soap, rinsed 

 with dean water, and then brought to a point to dry. 



