New-York tribune., 1901-12-29
A STUDIO ENTERTAINMENT.
THE SILHOUETTE PARTY AND ITS PARA
PHERNALIA - UNIQUE WAY OF
LIGHTING A ROOM

At this holiday season, when entertaining Is the
general subject of interest, and novelties in de-
mand, description of silhouette party given not
long ago in a studio in Fifth-ave. may furnish
helpful hint prospective hostess. Mrs.
Fanny Rowen. the artist, who gave it, furnishes
minute directions to The Tribune readers, fol-
lows: Have many sheets of heavy dra wing paper
there guests; black silhouette paper will
do. 1t may be bought at any shop where artists
materials sold The artist" should be a bright.
graceful girl, the occupation of outlining gives
large opportunity for pretty poses and she is al
ways the centre of attraction. She does not need
to possess any special training in art but it is well
to have an assistant to decorate the pictures In
poster style after they are made. Nowadays it is
possible find student in almost every So
cial circle. however small. who would share the
honors-and the work-with the artist.
For the decoration several brilliant Opaque co'ors
should be provided. Greens reds yelows and browns
are the best. Two three brushes of fairly large
size would be needed
The process of shouetting is simple, but must
be carefully executed sheet of the paper is
fastened on the wall with thumb screws. II the
silhouette paper is used. the white side, OF course
is turned out The room should be only dmly light
ed. that the shadow may be clearly defined
a chair for the stters is placed as close as
possible to the paper the wall. and table, with
a lamp is put close the chair II is important
to have a straight wick a round wick Gusts
double shadows. and there must be no shade on
the lamp. The sitter is posed so that the prohle is
presented. and the artist goes quickly around the
outline with soft pencil
That is all the sitter has to do. The artist VINO
has bottle of India ink and brush. fills the out
line in carefully which brings out the likeness II
the silhouette paper has been used. the filling IN
process is not required but the outline must be cut
uppermost sheet of white or gray paper Ia9ge a
enough to leave good margin This may De dohe eh
is not an artist. II she is. she will put tai tai
a. Of and
side Of the portrait few strokes will do 1t effec-
tyfS traft by 20 the bI,' time it is ready for her
There should not he more than WE'VE We IN ad a sh q
certain amount of time Is required. OF course re-
freshments are aways ParI nc2oacb too far on the
time needed for them
PSYCHOLOGY OF ARTISTIC LIGHTING.
The studio was lit for the occasion by tiny lights
that seemed to be everywhere, yet were seen no
where Mrs Rowell thus explains how she did IL;
In a number Of glasses-some are PLAIN OF Gu.
glass tumblers. some colored wineglasses-l
nut water to about one-third the depth, ano theh
nour IN another third OF oil. For this l use the
cheap American salad oil. In each put a hlsht
wick such one buys for re" cents ooN
from the grocer, each box holding two or three
dozen. The tiny wick floats on the OIL ana "heh
lit will burn twelve hours.
The glasces I place in all sorts OF out OF the
way corners and they give the dearest little hght'
soft as moonlight. It is very becoming hght TOO
Hostesses are Indifferent TO the effect OF Ashts
upon the appearance of their guests. brilliant
illumination brings out all the incipient Wrinkles
and produces a generally faded aspect in any
woman over twenty-hve-and men, too! do not
see why one should be merciful TO the men also
Now. such light as l have described answers
every practical purpose. and has an artistic value
that adds greatly TO the charm Of the evening. 1t
has an added psychological effect, too. People
always to be, more easily diverted when the
lights are dim and colored. The color has some
thing do with IL. / suspect No tint should pre-
dominate A general mingng Of red. blue. green
and white lights makes the prettiest and most
restful illumination. The subdued light causes a
certain reposefulness that tends to make things
defensive so to speak They cannot help feeling
as If on parade and perpetualy trying 10 be