Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-12-16
SCENIC ARTISTS.
WHAT MAY BE SEEN IN THE PAINT
ROOM OF A THEATRE.

WHAT MAY BE SEEN IN The PAINT
ROOM OF A THEATRE.
Great Advance Made in Scene Painting
I'm the Past Ten Years-NOt a Drop of
oil Used-"Taking Up a Scene New
Ideas to the Front.
aCan 1 tell you anything new about scenic
srtists and scene paintingl" echoed promi-
nant member of that most important and
essential order of persons whose work Is 50
necessary to the success Of any theatrical pro
duction, in response to a question put to him
nv a reporter. The scene, the paint room of
a pouular theatre. The artist was busily en-
gagged in painting handsome stained SasS
transom in drawing room set to be used in
the play to be presented shortly.
@WeIl. !" continued the artist as he deity ap-
piled the necessary colors, "you know there's
an old saying that there's nothing new under
the sun, but perhaps 1 may be able to give
YOU something that hasn't become chest
nut, A great advance has been made in the
art of scene painting in the past ten years
Ten years ago the people took scenic artists
for ordinary house painters, and our work
regarded in that light, and art critics are tax
ing an interest in our efforts. The young
artists of the present time don't believe in the
conventional ideas of the old artists of dozen
wears ago. All the young men who were
brought up by the old heads got their inspira-
ton from them, and then improved upon
their methods
Some people think that scenic artists are
very ordinary individuals who know nothing
about artistic work This is an erroneous
impression, as the majority of us are as ac-
complished as the best class of oil OF water
color painters. OF course there are all grades
of scenic artists, ranging from the true artist
who takes pride in what he does down to
those who apply their brushes in a loose and
haphazard manner, without regard to finish
or attractiveness.
DETAILS OF SCENE PAINTING.
@Ten years ago the scenic painters depended
upon pure colors for effect, but now they
paint the scene and depend upon the value of
the tints, the same as a landscape or marine
artist If the newspapers, instead of saying
that the management of theatre deserved
credit for the manner in which a piece was
mounted, would criticise the scenery, the art
ist would feel that there was something to
to work for and apply himself more earnestly
and carefully to his task. Many people who
are not familiar with the details of scene
painting imagine that the work is done in oil.
Not drop of oil is used, as, in the first place,
it would be too expensive. Then, again, it
would be in greater danger from fire, and the
scenes would be SO difficult TO handle. The
only materials used by the artist are glue,
water, alum, soap and the eolors, the latter Of
which are of good quality.
"The canvas to be painted is suspended by
ropes, and can be raised or lowered so that
any portion of it will be handy for the artist
to apply the colors. The palette consists Of
solidly built table about six or eight feet long,
of ordinary height, and mounted on rollers,
so that it can be moved to any part of the
painters bridge most convenient to the
artist The top of the table is filed with
good-sized tin plates, which contain the
necessary colors. In the center is plate used
for mixing up the required tints. The artist
works rapidly, and produces striking and
handsome effects with few quick strokes of
his brush. Close at hand, or in the daylight,
the scenes present a coarse appearance, but
when in use on the stage the brilliant light
thrown upon them produces a softening and
smooth effect.n
TAKING UP A SCENE"
"A great deal of what is known as "faking
up a scene" is indulged in, especially where
no intricate or elaborate scenery is required,
and when the manager does not wish TO go
to any unnecessary expense. For instance,
the back scene of parlor set with folding
doors may be in use one week, and the next
it will be turned around and painted on the
back to represent an archway or an entrance
to prison. Nearly all the ordinary scenery
used in a theatre is painted on the front
and back, and is thus made to do double SER
vice.
A week or tive before the opening of play
the scenic artist of theatre receives what is
known as the scene plots-miniature fac-sim-
0es of the scenery required for the play-so
that he may know just what is desired of him,
and he at once goes ahead with his work, in
order to have everything in readiness for the
first night of the production. In cases of
elaborate or spectacular productions he fre-
quently has several months given him in
which to do himself and the production full
Justice The single item Of scenery alone is
quite an expense to theatre, and at first class
houses playing combinations run up into
thousands Of dollars in a year.-Chicago
Journal