The Wilmingtonian., 1884-06-14

For THE wILMINGToNIAN

The Sch ONO" has become by-word for
a worthless gift, circumstance which is of
happy augury in the diffusion of real art in
humble homes. Next to the genuine work
of masters there is nothing better than o
good steel engraving. 1t is gratifying to
notice that attempts are being successfully
made in the Old World to reduce the
extravaganza charges for steel engravings.
1t has been the custom in the past to destroy
the original steel plate as soon as few
impressions had been taken from it, with the
view of enhancing the value of the impress
sons. Now, however, IA great step has been
taken in multiplying the impressions dd
iatinitnm by using the original plate as a
die and electro-typing and 'steel-facing"
fac-simile, SO that it is hoped that in a
few years cheap reproductions of the works |
of the great masters of olden and modern |
times will alike fluid place in every house
hold.
1t is a common error to imagine that the |
engravings in the Century" "Harper's |
Magazine" and other periodicals of the same
| character are executed on wood with the
graver. Some of them undoubtedly are, but
the loss of time, labor and expense incden.
to engraving on wood have led to the intro
duction of several processes which have for
their object the dispensing altogether with
| the labor of the wood-cutter. A drawing of
the subject is made in the natural position,
the light and shade boldly marked and the
material used for the sketch being Indian
Ink, or Ivory Black. The sketch may be
two feet in diameter, more or less. This is
photographed down to the size of the
engraving required, in which process it
necessarily follows that what were broad
coarse lines in the sketch become high finish
in the photograph The negative is now
laid face downwards on thin film of gelatne
rendered sensitive by Bichromate of Ammo
mia. After exposure to light, all parts of the
film not covered by the lines Of the photo
graph become hard and insoluble in water,
so that they remain IN elieCw the remain
der Of the film is washed of by cold water
From the resulting gelatine plate impress
sOns may be obtained which may be either
electrotyped or stereotyp d and so repro
duced adj infuitmm. The process is not
beyond the reach Of any amateur possessing
a good knowledge of drawing, and some
skill in photography. The chief care is
required in the manipulation. In Philadel-
phia this is chiefly done by ladies. The
entire outfit need not cost more than $50 and
it is obvious that there is practically no
limit to the uses to which the art NAV
be applied. The cuts in Horpers Wee ely and
the Duly Graphic are largely executed in
this way.
An etching club is delightful instituti ion
and it is a great matter for regret that we
have not one in this city Etching is capa-
BILE of many effects which wood-cut cannot
furnish and the small amount of application
necessary to learn the art is more than repaid
by the pleasure it affords. Those of our
lady readers who desire to try their ''pren-
tice hand" at etching will find works on the
subject at any art publishers, but the fol-
lowing hints will suffice:-Procure some
plates of sheet copper of the desired size and
have them nicely faced up with fine emery.
Melt in an earthen pot equal parts of bees
| wax and asphaltum, to form the etching
grg9aggpd r0Mdqllkde awAI ffRRfr1 f ana te
| Now heat the plate over spirit lamp and
when quite warm beat it gently over with
the dabber so that a thin film of ground
may be distributed over it. Blacken the
surface by holding it over smoky coal-oil
lamp for few seconds; then lay the plate
aside face-upwards, to cool. If you cannot
procure regular etching needles, stout
needles fastened in wooden handle will do.
| Place your drawing foot in front of You,
and let small hand mirror stand vertically
at the right hand of the drawing. Now
take your blackened plate aud CHANGING in
the mirror you will see reversed image of
the drawing, exactly as it is TO he trans
ferred to the surface Of the plate. A little
practice will aceustom you to draw quite
freely and easily from the image In the mir
ror. The drawing on the plate is to be
made with the needle, which should be used
with some pressure so as to scratch clean
through the etching ground and lay bare the
copper. When properly executed the draw
ing has exactly the appearance of slate
pencil drawing on a slate. Incorrect lines
may be got rid OF by brushing little of the
ground over them with cancels hair brush
dipped in turpentine. Now, removing the
plate raise wall of wax half an inch high
all around it. Take il out into the open air
f and pour over it a mixture of one part Of
| nitric acid to four parts of water The acid
, speedily corOdcs all the parts Of the copper
, laid bare by the etching needle, and in a
/ short time it becomes necessary to wash OF
: the acid in stream of cold water and to
: ''stop cut with little of the ground mixed
e with turpentine all the fine lines which have
a been "btten i'm deep enough. The holder
> lines will require ''re-biting' with more
t acid, in the same manner as before When
Y the plate is judged to be complete the
v ground may be cleared off and an impression
d taken from it, which will be done by any
0 cOpper-plate engraver ut trihiug cost Or
=, the amateur may do so, in rough way, by
n busting powdered lamp black over the plate
e and wiping it off, with a horizontal move
10 ment of a rag, so as to leave the lamp black
n in the lines while the surface is left clean.
c A sheet of thin paper pressed tightly against
e the face of the plate will then give a proof
X of it sufficient for all temporary purposes
&c When David Cox exhibited the "Funeral
:, at Bettws-y- Coed" at the rooms of the
ID Water Color Society, one of the critics init
y mated that if the Society could not exhibit
he better work than that it ought to close III
y doors. The Funeral is now worth s15,