74. Introduction

Introduction. From the past instruction you should have learned the different movements of the pencil, and also have become thoroughly familiar with the negative as compared with the positive. Beginning with this lesson, we will, when referring to any portions of the negative, give them their technical terms. For example, in the future when speaking of the shadows, we will refer to the white (transparent) portions of the negative, which upon the resulting print will appear black. When speaking of the high-lights in the negative, you will understand we refer to the black (opaque) portions of the negative, which appear white upon the reproduced print.

75. After having gained control of the different movements, study carefully Illustration No. 9. Figure 1 represents an enlarged section of a face full of freckles; Fig. 2 shows the pencil marks placed on this negative in order to remove the imperfections.

76. Preparing The Practice-Charts

Preparing The Practice-Charts. From the envelope accompanying this volume take one of the Practice-charts, No. 1, and place gum stickers on each of the four corners. Allow to set for a minute or so. Next, take a sheet of ground-glass and smoothly stretch the chart on it (face or printed side down), fastening securely to the glass with the gum stickers. This chart, practically speaking, represents the negative. Prepare for retouching as follows:

77. With a cork or toothpick, as previously directed, take a drop or two of the retouching dope and apply it to the parts of the paper chart over which you expect to work.

With a tuft of absorbent cotton, or a piece of Canton flannel, lightly rub over the surface to be retouched, distributing the medium gently in a circular motion, producing a smooth, even surface. This application, as previously stated, gives the negative a tooth for receiving the lead. The dope dries quickly, so you may have to try several times in order to secure the desired results. The surface when correctly prepared must not appear sticky nor tacky, but slightly glossy. If it is tacky - or, in other words, too thick - too much of the fluid has been left on the negative and the lead will take too freely. This is due to lack of rubbing with the cotton. If too little is left on the negative, the pencil will hardly make a mark, when more fluid should be added, repeating the operation. With a little practice you will be able to prepare the negative properly.

78. It is not necessary to apply the dope to any part that is not intended to be retouched. After preparing the negative-chart allow it to stand for a few minutes, permitting the medium to harden. After the practice-chart has been doped and prepared for receiving the lead, place it in your retouching easel, over the opening of the middle section. To hold it in position, attach two thumb-tacks at the base of this opening, thus supplying a support for the negative or practice-chart to rest upon. Next, take a sheet of black or dark paper, about 8 x 10 inches in size, and cut in the center of this sheet, an oval opening about 3 inches long; lay this mask over the negative, which will exclude all light except that coming through the negative.