DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19575#0078
66 L 1 M
Let the perfon you are to limn be pofited in the fame poiture
that he himfelf fhall chufe, level with you, and not more than
fix yards from you at moft.
13. Obferve the perfon's motion, if never fo fmall; for the
leaft motion amifs, if not recalled, will infenfibly lead you into
many errors.
14. When you have finifhed the face, let the perfon ffand,
not fit, at a farther diftance than four or five yards off, for your
drawing the pofition of the cloaths.
15. If you are to limn upon fattin, fteep ifing-glafs for twenty-
four hours in fair water, and then boil it in fpirits of wine, until
it grow very clammy, which may be known by dipping your
finger in it: And, after you have drawn your outlines upon
fattin, wafh it thin over with an indifferent large pencil, as far
as your outlines are, which will prevent the colours from fink-
ing or flowing.
16. The better to prevent your colours from finking into
your card, paper, or parchment, you defign to limn on ; boil
iome roch alum in fpring water ; then take a bit of a fpunge,
and with it wet the back fide of the paper that you are to draw
on very thin : While the water is hot, be as quick in wetting it
as you can ; and this will hinder the colours from finking.
The praclice of Limning, or drawing a face in colours.
I. As to the beginning of the work : Having all your materials
in readinefs, lay the prepared colour on the card, anfwerable to
the complexion prefented, even and thin, free from hairs and
fpots over the place where the picture is to be.
2. The ground having been thus laid, and the party placed
in a due pofition, begin the work, which is to be done at three
fittings ; at the fir ft fitting you are only to dead-colour the face,
which will require about two hours time.
3. At the fecond fitting, go over the work more curioufly,
adding its particular graces or deformities, couching the colours
fweetly, which will take up about five hours time.
4. At the third fitting, you muff, finifh the face, perfecting
all that has been left imperfect: and rough ; putting the deep fha-
dows in the face, as in the eyes, brows, and ears, which are the
I a ft of the work, and are not to be done till the hair, curtain, or
back fide of the picture, and the drapery, be wholly finifhed.
5. The operation, cr work at firji fitting. Having laid u.c
ground or complexion, in the next place draw the outlines of
the face, which do with lake and white mino-led : Draw thefe
but very faintly, that, if you happen to mifs, either in proportion
or colour, you may alter it.
6. When you have done this, add red lead to the former co-
lour for cheeks and lips ; but let it be but faint, for you cannot
2 lighten
Let the perfon you are to limn be pofited in the fame poiture
that he himfelf fhall chufe, level with you, and not more than
fix yards from you at moft.
13. Obferve the perfon's motion, if never fo fmall; for the
leaft motion amifs, if not recalled, will infenfibly lead you into
many errors.
14. When you have finifhed the face, let the perfon ffand,
not fit, at a farther diftance than four or five yards off, for your
drawing the pofition of the cloaths.
15. If you are to limn upon fattin, fteep ifing-glafs for twenty-
four hours in fair water, and then boil it in fpirits of wine, until
it grow very clammy, which may be known by dipping your
finger in it: And, after you have drawn your outlines upon
fattin, wafh it thin over with an indifferent large pencil, as far
as your outlines are, which will prevent the colours from fink-
ing or flowing.
16. The better to prevent your colours from finking into
your card, paper, or parchment, you defign to limn on ; boil
iome roch alum in fpring water ; then take a bit of a fpunge,
and with it wet the back fide of the paper that you are to draw
on very thin : While the water is hot, be as quick in wetting it
as you can ; and this will hinder the colours from finking.
The praclice of Limning, or drawing a face in colours.
I. As to the beginning of the work : Having all your materials
in readinefs, lay the prepared colour on the card, anfwerable to
the complexion prefented, even and thin, free from hairs and
fpots over the place where the picture is to be.
2. The ground having been thus laid, and the party placed
in a due pofition, begin the work, which is to be done at three
fittings ; at the fir ft fitting you are only to dead-colour the face,
which will require about two hours time.
3. At the fecond fitting, go over the work more curioufly,
adding its particular graces or deformities, couching the colours
fweetly, which will take up about five hours time.
4. At the third fitting, you muff, finifh the face, perfecting
all that has been left imperfect: and rough ; putting the deep fha-
dows in the face, as in the eyes, brows, and ears, which are the
I a ft of the work, and are not to be done till the hair, curtain, or
back fide of the picture, and the drapery, be wholly finifhed.
5. The operation, cr work at firji fitting. Having laid u.c
ground or complexion, in the next place draw the outlines of
the face, which do with lake and white mino-led : Draw thefe
but very faintly, that, if you happen to mifs, either in proportion
or colour, you may alter it.
6. When you have done this, add red lead to the former co-
lour for cheeks and lips ; but let it be but faint, for you cannot
2 lighten