The artists repository and drawing magazine: exhibiting the principles of the polite arts in their various branches (2.1788)

D .is- J

Body colors (as they are called, to dif-
tinguifh them from wafhes,) may be lightened
by being diluted with water, but cannot be
deepened beyond the natural ftate of that ma-
terial : to fhadow it when ufed of its full
color, recourfe muft be had to a darker color,
of a fimilar fpecies.

Care mould be taken to keep the drawing,
&c. flat, and free from finkings, left the colors,
if thin, fhould run to thofe parts, and make
patches of darks, &c,

If the paper will not readily take colors, a
little fifh or ox gall will help them.

The foregoing hints apply to water colors
only ■, a few obfervations on the ufe of colors
in oil, {hall clofe thefe remarks

A principal advantage of oil colors is, that
after they are dry they afford a conftant oppor-
tunity of being retouched, or even changed
either in whole or in part; thus black may be
re-colored white, or brown, blue, &c, but
though this is undoubtedly a great advantage,
yet it is only to be ufed when required by ne-
ceffity i for the under color if allied to the fu-
perficial, promotes as well force as harmony;
and it fometimes happens, that if the under
color be cold, and powerful, it tends to in-
jure the tone of the upper.

Oil