Evening star., 1899-03-11

are of choice Some of Mr. Chandlee's
works show much thought and have an
abundance of detail, while others rug
ged their attraction being III the imagina-
tive masses.
Finishing Touches with a Rag.
A lake pond finds a place in the pic
ture through the agency of the rag, being
made by wfping out a portion of the ink.
The lights are also picked out with the
rag, and here and there little darkness
may be added. The whole picture may be
changed in a moment. In fact, it is seldom.
the artist completes his view according to
the original idea when it was begun. To
do this style of work he must have a feel
ing for landscape if not technique. The
painting upon the glass is tirished in {.
space Of time according to the elaborate
ness of the theme-usually requiring but a
very few minutes.
The edges are now squared up and every
thing made ready for the transfer to paper
Great care is necessary at this stage of
the picture for q bit OF dust upon the paper
will spoil everything. 1t is here the most
failures are made, although the certainty
of success is not felt until the very last
The monotype is peculiar in that it is
either eminently satisfactory a complete
failure. The results are never Of mediocre
ty. The slightest particle of grit the
surface of the paper will prevent a circle
some one-Ealf Of an inch in diameter reach
ing the ink ana the impression will be i'm
perfect, oslt trailSltT Il l2iiGTP. fdhtTp IN
the vitreograph inonotype is so common in
fact, as to lie discouraging to most artists
who have attempted this variety of work
The task of ''pulling' the picture from the
glass is not an easy one by any means and
requires skill in almost equal amount to that
employed in the construction Of the original
work The paper is placed directly upon the
wet ink, and, held firmly in place, is brisk
ly rubbed, lengthWiSe and latsrally, that
the lines may be equal and every feature
brought out. The paper is afterward trim
med, mounted and made ready for exhibit
ton. the result being far more delicate and
impressive than can be easily imagined.
Light and Dark Effects.
The process lends itself more readily to
landscape work. and is used almost exclu-
sively for this branch of art. The prints
obtained are of silvery lightness and in
tense darkness, the extremes being more at
tractive. While it requires skill and ar
tistic knowledge to conceive and execute
the picture. the vitreograph worker let's
his general effects form themselves to
large extent. New ideas creep into the pic-s
ture the work progresses The vitreo-
graphs are usually made from pencil
Sketches or notes from nature. In their i'm
pressionistic qualities they show what the
artist sees in viewing a natural landscane
with half-closed eyes. The lines are soft
ened and the general scene is thus made
sentimental and suggestive, rather than
d"t tailed.
Despite the seeming sinpiicity of the pro-
cess, the work of making a successful
vitrcograph from which a proof can be
taken is very difficult. and there are nu-
nlerous complications arising. Behind the
simpla labprs of the worker are all the in
stincts. tale"t. anpreciatiou and keen con-
cey,tion of the artist. In the first place, the
right kind of ink. with corresponding pa
per, must be secured. The right ink and
wrong p"per will bring about failure and
vice versa The lights and shades. the con-
trasts. mu:t be worked up or appreciated
fh.at- f.,I~Y low
believed that the vitreogranh proof could
not nosseSs any of the artistic qualities.
But this idea has vanished recently. A
W"ll-knoWn artist of this city, in viewing q
proof not long since. began a critical dis
course upon its merits. forgetting it was
h.: rough piece of vitrecgraph work. He.
there was nothing serious to be found in
the study There is secrecy about the
process of making the vitreograph, for
there is no fear of imitation. The worker
must have especial talent. Not all artists
can find success in this lire.
One difficulty IL the making of sharp lines
To secure this result in the proof the ink
would necessarily be spread quite heavily
Upon the glass. which cannot be DONE on
account of the spreading under the pressure
In transferring from glass to paper. Con-
sequently the anatomy and foliage of trees
re difficult TO manage.
Vitreograph prints are made in all simple
colors and in varied colors. The best eff
brown inks. which give richer tone and
are more readily worked.
AsFew MOnOtype Artists.
Frank Resell Greene of New York, Ho-
ratio Walker of Boston and Mr. Cnandlee
are regarded as the three leading exponents
of monotype work today. Mr.. Joseph
Jefferson, the actor is a deyotee of the
school, and his works have been exhibited
throughout the country He has rare skill
with the brush. Two of Mr.. Walkers proofs
a in, OiNx
Mr.. Jefferson had TIVE on view at the ex-