curious arts

(By the particular request of a "Mechanic" in Cherryfield, Me.)--In this art the process is various according to the circumstances, and the ground on subjects to which it is applied. In painting common chairs, the ground is prepared by a coat of paint composed of ivory black and rose-pink,--equal quantities, ground in a mixture of equal parts of linseed oil, drying japan and spirits of turpentine.--When this is dry, the graining color, consisting of three parts of rose-pink with one of vermillion, ground in a mixture of oil, japan and spirits of turpentine, is applied with a common flat graining brush. Fancy boxes and cabinet furniture are painted by a different process, by which a better imitation is produced. The ground is prepared by one or more coats of white lead changed two or three shades with yellow ochre. When dry, a thin staining of burnt terra-de-sienna ground in water, containing a very little sugar or gumarabic is laid on the work, and while this continues moist and flowing, the graining is applied. The graining should consist of a mixture of black and rose pink, ground in the staining compound. This must be varnished when dry, with copal varnish. Some prefer, however, to grind the staining and graining in oil, diluted with spirits of turpentine.

The learner must have some sample pieces of varnished rosewood before him when graining.