98
THE BOOK OF THE LANTERN.
in water colour and in oil colour, sometimes, I believe,
combining the two methods in one picture ; and his first
proceeding was to draw the outline on the glass, in black
pigment, with a very fine brush. Those who do not wish
to dabble in photography, and who have some artistic taste
may still adopt the same plan, and they will find that with
a little practice they will be able to draw with a fine brush
and with a suitable pigment, as finely as they can on paper
with a pen. The Japanese artists,—I may mention,—do all
their work, and even their writing, with a brush, and we
all know their pictures are not to be despised. It will
be found that such an outline is easier to produce if the
glass be first covered with a layer of varnish. Some use
a weak solution of gelatine in water, to give the glass the
necessary surface for taking the pigment. A solution of
sugar has also been recommended for the same purpose.
A still easier plan of producing diagrams of line drawings
without the aid of photography is to use sheet gelatine,
which is sold for the purpose. This gelatine is placed over
the engraving or other design which it is wished to copy ;
and the lines are traced with a sharp point, such as an
etching-needle. Fine black lead is then rubbed over the
surface with the top of the ünger, with the result that the
black powder lodges in the scratches, but does not adhere
to the smooth surface. This plan I look upon merely as a
makeshift; but I mention it for what it is worth.
A method by which far better results can be obtained
was published some years ago by the Rev. Dr. Dallinger,
the eminent microscopist, who has for a long time used
slides produced in the way he describes. His plan is