ANCIENT GRECIAN OR ENCAITSTIC PAINTING, g3 



and while hot (but not boiling) mix with it by degrees a 

 pint (wine measure) or sixteen ounces niore of cold spring 

 water, then strain the composition, as some dirt will boil out 

 of the gum mastich, and put it into bottles: the composi- 

 tion, if properly made, should, be like a cream, and the co^ 

 lours, when mixed with it, as smooth as with oil. 



The method of using it is, to mix with the composition, Method of us* 

 •upon an earthen pallet, such colours in powder as are used. '"^ ''* 

 in painting with oil; and such a quantity of the composi- 

 tion is to be mixed with the colours, as to render them of 

 the usual consistency of oil colours ; then paint with faif 

 water. The colours when mixed with the composition may 

 be laid on either thick or thin, as may best suit your sub- 

 ject ; on which account, this composition is very advantage- 

 ous, where any particular transparency of colouring is re- 

 quired ; but in most cases it answers best, if the colours be 

 laid on thick, and they require the same use of the brush* 

 as if painting with body colours, and the isame brushes as 

 used in oil painting. The colours, if grown dry, when mixed The colouis 

 with the composition, may be used by putting a little fair |^ned withVa- 

 water over them ; but it is less trouble to put some water ter, when 

 when the colours are observed to be growing dry. In paint- S"^"^" ^'y* 

 ing with this composition the coloeirs blend without difficulty 

 when wet, and even when dry the tints may easily be united 

 by means of a brush and a very small quantity of fair 

 water. 



When the painting is finished, put some white wax into Wn>: tobq ap« 

 n glazed earthen vessel over a slow fire, and when melted, pl'-^f' to the 

 but not boiling, with a hard brush cover the painting with 

 the wax, and when cold take a moderately hot iron, such as 

 is used for ironing linen, and. so cold as not to hiss, if 

 touched with any thing wet, and draw it lightly over the 

 wax. The painting will appear as if under a cloud till the 

 wax is perfectly cold, as well as whatever tlie picture is 

 painted upon ; but if, when so, the painting should not ap- 

 pear sufficiently clear, it maj^ be held before tlie fire, so far 

 from it as to melt the wax but slowly ; or the wax may be 

 melted by holding a hot poker at such a distance as to melt 

 it gently, especially such parts of the picture as should not 

 G 2 appear 



