WORKING WITH CRAYONS.
With the introduction of bromide en largements, and the consequent immediate increase in the demand for enlargements generally, various methods of rapidly working them tip were suggested. Of these, the most popular is the air brush process, described later. A method of finishing which has found considerable favour consists of working the picture with crayons and powdered chalks. Special pencils, both white and black. are obtainable of all dealers. " The Bin nude Set," which contains, in addition to pencils, a stump, refills, etc., will be sufficient. for a beginner. Ordinary chalk pencils, if soft, may be used for the same purpose : but they must be a good blue black, and not a rusty brown. This is the difficulty with most chalks ; the soft pencils, however, are usually less brown. The same obstacle occurs with regard to powdered chalks, and the best substance will be found to be a mixture of chalk with the ordinary powdered retouching lead. The stippling, or evening, of the face is best done with chalk points. These should be sharp ened so as to leave at least 3 in. of chalk out, or if the ever-pointed pencils are used so much the better. The chalk is then rubbed on a glasspaper block until it has a good clear point, in the manner adopted for retouching. Some workers even pre
fer to use a retouching pencil for the work, but pictures so worked are far too waxy in effect for any but very small sizes. For these, it may occasionally be used ; but it has a further disadvantage, namely, that it gives a shiny surface, and therefore the parts worked upon are easily detected, since they do not match with the surround ings. If, however, the use of this kind of pencil is restricted to the very lightest tones, it will not matter so very much, and it certainly gives the smoothest possible effect. The remarks made about the use of the brush apply with equal effect to that of the pencil. It is a good plan to use always the softest pencil possible. En largements upon crayon papers are the most suitable for treatment in this way. Crayon papers have a fairly rough surface, such as is used for crayon drawings. Pic tures on such a basis may be finished to resemble drawings in crayon very closely.
ny matt surface paper may be used, but the glazed or even smooth papers are un suitable for this kind of working-up,