Mahogany graining should be worked on a ground made from white lead, Venetian red, and chrome. First damp the work to be grained with a sponge dipped in water to which has been aided a little fuller's-earth or whiting; this will prevent sissing. The colours required are Vandyke brown, burnt sienna, mahogany lake, and blue black - all ground in water; these may be bought in tubes from Is. each. The tools required are a 3-in. mottler, a medium-size sash tool, a thin hoghair over-grainer, a small bevelled cutter, a sable pencil, and a badger hair-softener; these would cost from 10s. upwards. The method of working is as follows: Rub up on a palette a little vandyke, burnt sienna, and lake with weak beer and water, keeping each colour separate; dip the sash tool in the colours and cover the work, which in some places should be dark and in others light, in the direction of the grain. Next dip the mottler in water, wipe it on the washleather to take out superfluous water, then mottle the work to imitate the real wood; soften off with the badger brush. Higher lights or feather markings can be taken out with the cutter; soften the work as it proceeds. The work may next be overgrained by using the thin overgrainer with blue black.

Divide the hairs by drawing it through an ordinary comb whilst wet. Use the sable pencil for the line or feather work.