Merrifield, Mary Philadelphia: Practical Directions For Portrait Painting In Water-Colours (London, 1854)

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COLOURS FOR PORTRAIT PAINTING.

BROWN MADDER

Is of a rich transparent russet brown. It forms a soft
shadow colour with Blue; alone it may be used to lower
red curtains or draperies, and for the darkest touches in
flesh.

CRIMSON LAKE

Is a fine colour, but not very permanent, and is employed
only in draperies. It will be more durable if covered
with a coat of Gamboge, but in tins case it changes from
crimson to scarlet.

CARMINE.

This colour is of a brilliant deep-toned crimson, possessing
great power in its full touches and much clearness in its
pale washes. It is somewhat more fugitive than Lake.
A good way of using this colour is to procure it in powder,
and after putting a small portion into a saucer, pour on
it a little liquor of ammonia or good hartshorn. The
ammonia dissolves the Carmine turning it nearly black,
but it shortly after assumes a fine red colour. It should
not be used in flesh.

PINK MADDER.

The colours prepared from madder are among the most