Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-05

wAsHrNeroS-HISrs FUR DECORATORS on COM
BISATIoS DESIGNS, coLoRiSo, Krc.
n REED0M from ordinary pursu % and
iFSfdiversions only comes 70 the resident Of
Washington in the summer. One is then
exempt from the social duties that pre-
~ vail in the winter or the manifold occu-
pations that spring and autumn bring. 1t is a
blessed respite, some appresistive stay-at-
homes believe, for to it belongs time TO read.
time to write and time 10 carry ont the pet
Ideas which have taken form in the buster sea
son. One Of these fulfilled projects was the
establishments some weeks ago OF q china
painting class, which turned ont quite al ideal
affair Of the kind
An IDEAL CHINA PAINTING CLASS.
Instead Of assembling in the bare confusion
OF professional studio the class met at the
pretty home of the originator OF the plan
mere on the warm mornings when 1t required
some courage and enthusiasm to go out at all
one found GOODNESS and comfort with every
convenience arranged for the teacher and
pupils. 1t must have inspired some interest
In the dong" even in the most confirmed
laier to have seen the busy eagerness with
which each new step was undertaken and the
directions Of the skillful teacher followed
JUS. as every one had reached iustifable de-
gree OF WEAKNESS from q mornings labor
luncheon would be announced and an hour
spent In the cool dining room over the dainty
lunch would revive the ardor IN the work.
which would be car ried on until nearly dinner
time by this fresh impetus. The articles
CHOSEN Tor decoration and the manner of the
same were as varied as the dispositions OF the
several workers. They ranged in size and i'm
portance from a large jar rich with gold and
painted with careful patience to the tiny after
dinner coffee cup and the little bon-bon dish
Of charming shape and delicate decoration.
THE FASCINATING ooLoRINa OF ROYAL WORCESTER
was seen on various pieces, with its creamy
ground and pink or purple blossoms contrast
ing with the colds and bronzes The suspense
of the several necessary frings was endured,
until the final one brought out the coiorIng in
all Its beauty Of harmony or contrasts, to fill
the painters heart with pride (and surprised at
what she had accomplished. 1t was genuine
pupil work. too. Only the fewest and most
necessary strokes OF the teachers brush were
put on the work, while free-hand designs by
the different ones on their own pieces were the
only kind encouraged. When the breaking up
OF the class occurred on the teachers leaving
town 1t was with the feeling that an opportu-
NIFTY had passed that was a rare one for congeniai
companionship and inspiration for work. As
trophies Of the pleasant class hours were some
pieces OF china decorated SO prettly that much
more advanced workers need not have dis
claimed them for execution or effect This is
one OF the ways in which the summer days may
be filled with interest Though working alone
after the pleasant intercourse of class may be
less inspiring one is not apt to drop entirely n
pursuit which has taken hold of her fancy (for
china painting is fascinating employment and
much may be accomplished before the usual
autumn demands upon the time.
CHINA FIRERs IN WASHINGTON.
There is great advantage in having a num-
Der Of reliable china frers here in the city, so
no risk in packing and sending away has to be
incurred. One always, too, feels pardonable
lmpatence to see the colors as soon as possible
after the fire has made them permanent SO
one as favorably situated china artists are
here may have sympathetic pity for less
fortunate colaborers
As the numbers of china painters increase
the dealers make more of an effort TO cater to
their wants in undecorated wares, and a very
good assortment may be found by visiting the
oinerent establishments in town. The interest
In this work was never so great here before
nor the number Of workers 50 large One is
astonished to hear the china q. RS tell of the
quantities Of china that come to them for firing
mostly from the city. Several notable dis
plays were made last winter by teachers Of their
pupils work, and so much interest manifested
by outsiders that probably another season may
| see SOME larger efforts Of the kind.
SUGGESTIONS AND IDEAS.
To the china painter everything is full Of
suggestions and ideas, and when once the at
tention is interested ones eyes become remark
ably alert in seeing with clearer vision any
! object that may be capable of giving points on
the absorbing subject. In the numerous ar I
papers and magazines there is an infinite va
riety OF information and designs, very valuable
In Its way, but to use the designs is TO make
your work like that of possibly hundreds of
other readers OF the same paper. II, there
fore, one IL obliged to copy or trace designs let
1t be from some other source.
As l said the eyes will find suggestions for
graceful patterns in many things that would
pass unnoticed, unless an awakened attention
is drawn to them.
HINTS IN PAPER HANGERS WINDOW.
know lady who never passes a paper
hangers window, for instance. without a run
ming glance at every piece of wall paper dis
played This is not because Of deep-felt in
terest in wall papers as wall papers, but her eye
Is trained to look for suggestions and hints for
both painting and embroidery in everything
she sees, and glance will tell her il an idea Is
TO be gained. In that case a careful second
look will maybe open up a whole scheme of
decoration for some object she has in mind 1t
would be impossible for her to pass the papers
without this quick interrogstory. which is
almost intuitive. took the wall paper as a
case IN point for the conventionalized designs
used on that are equally suitable for all decor
atlve work, while the natural forms are often
most graceful
PkLTrf DECORATIVE BITS TO BE PICKED Up.
1t is the same with other things also-all
ornamented book covers, or margins of leaves.
or headings Of chapters are scanned in the
same way, and programs and cards OF invita-
ton are often Contributors to the stock of
ideas which serve her instead of direct models
In her work. 1t is well to make collection of
all the pretty bits Of decorative work, either in
colors or black, which fall in ones way-the
little things that have q temporary value. but
IL IA,
signed to the waste basket. Then when one
wants border of arabesque or a spray of
flowers or leaves, one has a help at hand, and
III the arrangement resulting from these hints
there is a freedom from servile copying that
eleyates the work at once.
COMBINATIONS
The working patterns that come in art
papers may be used to advantage in a similar
way without absolutely copying. large
roundlngs or part of the design chosen i'm
this way, which, differently arranged, NAV be
most effective and original ms far as arrange
ment goes. For instance, q large flower NAV
be taken from elaborate pattern for a por-
there frieze, say, in which it is shown in several
different forms These may be, by transfer
paper, put on another design as single flowers
powdered over the surface. II the pattern is
well drawn you have a good form. while the ar
rangement and coloring may be quite your
own. Where ones drawing is defective, but
q natural taste for combination exists, this
may be done with good results as combining
real flowers in a vase, the forms beng already
dad huf fha Of