These three materials are sometimes painted on for ban- ners, panels, and screens. The materials for use are the same as have been spoken of, with the addition of ox gall spread over the designs, on silk or satin, before the painting is begun.

The highest general color is applied first, in painting these fabrics, and the strokes of the brush should be parallel to the rib of the silk, that is, not across the woof. Put in the deepest shades last.

There is one difficulty in this work, and that is the spreading of the oil in the paint. To prevent this, squeeze out the tube colors upon blotting paper, and let it absorb the oil. If the oil should then spread, rub the wrong side of the goods with coke magnesia, to absorb it; and when absorbed, brush off the powder. The material should be stretched upon a drawing-board by means of tacks, and the outline drawn upon the goods with a lead pencil, or with blue or red stamping paper. While engaged upon the design, protect the fabric from soiling as much as possible, with a sheet of paper. Plush is the richest of all materials for oil-colors. A stiff brush of bristle is necessary to stamp in the colors. Mirrors with plush frames painted with sprays of flowers instead of embroidery are much admired. Designs on plush are outlined with a brush and flake white.

Water Colors

Buy only the very best, from responsible dealers. Sometimes two or three coatings of color must be applied to satin and silk before the color takes on the proper tint. Chinese white is almost universally used in toning colors and putting in the lighter tints. Mix the white with the color to be toned, or apply it to the fabric, according to the object you wish to accomplish.

Transfer oil pictures are now sold which can be applied to silk and satin by use of a hot iron.

Fan Painting is another field for the artist. Silk, satin, paper, and vellum are the materials. The fans must be secured upon a board while being painted. The walls of rooms are frequently adorned with gaily colored Japanese fans, of various sizes.

Bowl Painting

Wooden bowls, such as are used for making bread, are perhaps the latest for painting in oil. The entire bowl is first painted some color, - blue or gray looks well, - and then on the inside is painted a design covering the bottom and extending up the sides. The subjects which seem most sought after are marine views, with scenes of sun-rises.

"At morning, flinging wide, Its curtain-clouds of purple and vermilion, Dispensing life and light on every side."

The bowls, when completed, are hung rather high, with % downward incline, in the corners of the room, and look well nowhere else. In the painting, minute details are to be avoided, as the view will be seen at a distance only. These ornaments take the place of corner brackets.

Decorating Flower Pots

Plain, smooth, red-clay flower pots are capable of some decoration worth mentioning; and as they occupy such prominent places in the house, it is not strange that they should receive some attention from the decorator. Oil or water colors will serve the purpose. Lay broad bands of dull blue around the top and bottom, covering the intervening space with black. Now if you do not have transfer pictures, paste scrap chromos on the black band. Do not observe too much order in pasting them on, but arrange them in a most disorderly manner. The effect is excellent, and the experiment worth trying.