92. Retouching Varnish Not Working Properly

Retouching Varnish Not Working Properly. While the practice-charts may be flowed with retouching varnish, yet it is advisable to use the retouching dope for the charts. The varnish will work better on glass negatives than on the practice-charts. If, when using the retouching varnish, you experience any difficulty, the trouble will be due entirely to your not carefully following the instruction for preparing this medium. It is essential that the gum mastic be thoroughly dissolved or "cut" in the ether, and this must then be poured, drop by drop, into the gasoline, and the whole let stand without disturbing in any way for a period of twelve hours, when it may be used, giving perfect satisfaction. Difficulty may be experienced if you do not rub the dope long enough to thoroughly distribute it over the plate and rub it until it is almost dry. At this stage the dope will become tacky and pull on the cotton as it is rubbed over the plate. Continue to rub in a circular motion, gradually working lighter as you feel the surface becoming more smooth.

93. Dope Loses Tooth Sometime After Application

Dope Loses Tooth Sometime After Application. Although the lead may take well to the negative for a short time after applying the dope, it may occur that after a short space of time the lead will not adhere. This may be due to the imperfect mixing of the dope, or to an insufficient amount of dope being used; or, the dope applied may have been rubbed off the plate by rubbing too hard. If the work is almost completed, to save removing the work already done, the entire negative may be flowed with negative varnish and additional work may be applied over the varnish, which supplies a good tooth for this purpose.

94. Dope Too Heavy

Dope Too Heavy. Only one or two drops of the dope should be applied to the average size portrait negative, and this should be placed on the center of the face. With a small tuft of cotton or the tip of the finger, rub in a circular motion, gradually working outward. Continue with this until the dope has become

somewhat dry and begins to pull and get quite tacky. Where the dope is quite heavy, it is important that it be rubbed in thoroughly; otherwise, the lead will take too freely. If the dope is light or thin, then it must be rubbed more lightly, otherwise you will rub off all the dope and will not have sufficient tooth.

95. Applying The Retouching Dope

Applying The Retouching Dope. In the first place, avoid placing too much dope on the negative. Apply a drop or two on the center of the face of the image, and then with a small wad of cotton rub the surface carefully with a circular motion - working from the center outward. Too much dope or insufficient rubbing will leave the film too sticky. Too little dope or too much rubbing will produce a smooth surface that will not leave sufficient tooth, in which case the lead will not adhere to the negative.