The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1894-05-17
ANIMAL PORTRAiTURE AND EN-
CRAVING.
.konihly = iavsTraled:

A Summary of Address Delivered BE.
fore the Students of the School of A sri-
culture of the OHIO State University by
3, W. Hills, Delaware, ..
PART II.
To secure good photographs, free
from distortion or exaggerated perspec-
tive, long focus lens is essential
But with any lens care must be taken
to avoid a too close range, as within
the first few feet the perspective is in
variably magnifed. So always remem-
Der that small image that ID accurate
is more desirable than large one
which is distorted
In posing the animal, the aim should
be to get an easy and ma tural position;
and, what is still more important, such
an angle or direction from the sun or
source of light, as will illumine and
round up the creature. For instance,
from one direction, the depression in
front of the hip bone will appear to be
a deep hole, while from another it is
scarcely visible. Choose the latter.
The best light is that of a cloudy
day. If too cloudy or dark, the photo
lacks strength, and will appear dull
If the sun is very bright the shadows
are too black and dense. The best
time of day is from to 10 a. m, and
to 5 p. IN, when the strong light will
not fall SO directly upon the back or
top of the subject.
After the photograph is secured
there are several methods of getting
the outlines for the drawing If the
n 6 10, 1>o So
photo, then it is a simple matter by
means of transparent tracing paper to
pencil off the outlines, which in turn
are carried to the drawing paper, board !
or canvas by means of carbon or |
transfer paper.
If the drawing is to be larger or !
smaller, there is a ontrivance called
pentagraph which may be employed, !
or still better instrument, which con-
sists simply of a piece of plain glass
set in frame and blocked off in
squares. The photograph is placed
under this glass and fastened, while
squares. as many times larger or
smller than the squares of the glass as
the drawing is required to be larger or
smaller than the photo. 1t is not then
difficult to sketch the outlines in each
square, one square at a time, and with
moderately trained eye it is almost
absolutely correct.
Still another way is to make a pos
tive on glass; lantern slide-and
using your camera inversely, and as
magic lantern, to throw the image up
on a screen of drawing paper and then
pencil off the outlines
1t is now the artists privilege and
prerogative to "clothe it," in the Ian
guage of Gerome, with the poetry of
his own SOUL to limited extent! He
may change the shading and even the
outlines trihe. until he bring it up to
the animals actual avordupois, or
little more if not in the best condition.
He may groom its body and comb out
its tail; may prick up it's ears and
brighten its eye; may remove the hal
ter and give it field of blue grass all
to itself; in fact, represent it with its
best bib and tucker on.
Of course do not mean to say that
equally good results can not be achieved
with the pencil alone. If one has an
accurate eye and trained hand, and a
tender conscience; and in addition to
these, abundance of time and an hon
est, intelligent and libe raj patron, per-
haps the camera would be useless, and
while am far from placing light es-
innate on the value of thorough train
ing in drawing, it requires very many
years of practice before the eye be-
comes as accurate as a rule or the hand
as steady as the sunbeam 1t would be
foolish, therefore; not to call in every
help available, for ''Art is long and life
is short
And now few words about engrav- ,
ing. Lithography, which was en-
ployed by Page and is still used more 6
or less, especially for very large pict- :
ures, is, as probably you all know. en- ,
pends upon the facility with which !,
stone absorbs grease and l
water, and in the antipathy of these to !
each other. After the stose has been {
leveled off and grained, the picture to c
be engraved is drawn upon it with
q greasy crayon. The points are
then made by first wetting the
stone, then mixing it. The water COW 1
ers those parts not touched by the Y
crayon, while the ink adheres to the :
drawing and avoids the water. The ;,
paper is then placed on it and is run g
through the press. This process, while
capable of giving beautiful results, Is /
subject to the disadvantage of requir- .
ing special presses and skilled litho- I
graphic printers and can not, there O
fore, be used in the ordinary printing a
office, as can relief plates Wood en- +
craving until recently has been the
best known and most widely used sort
Of engraving The wood used is chief
y lockwood. a very fine, close grain be- z
ing necessary. AS no flaws would be v
and it is impossible to OBJ T
tain sufficiently large pieces without :,
such, the blocks are made by piercing :;
md gluing together smaller pieces. =
After the artist has prepared the draw
ng on the block with India ink and a
pencil, or by photography, the engrav- a
,r cuts it line upon line with his vari- n
Jus sized grayers, until every form and u
shadow is represented with its true n
7alue in relief upon it. G
In practice it is customary to dupli- ;,
,ate the wood cut in metal with an "
as being more durable !, y,
nd 1ocr lio b1o 70 i,,;, Jl