Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-02-03
WALLPAPER DESIGNING,

VI the various occupations open to girls
few are more fascinating and remunerative
or make greater demand on ones
powers of originality than design. This
subject. Of course, covers a very wide
area, and now confine my remarks to
wallpaper designing.
Designs for Wallpapers are chiefly
based on geometrical and natural forms;
the latter may be treated naturally or
conventionally at the discretion of the
designer. Purely geometrcal designs are
seldom employed. except for bathrooms
and for ceiling papers, and in these there
is little play for ones originality, while
there Is always something new and de-
lightful to be found in nature. One must
bear in mind that Wallpapers are printed
by a mechanical process, the copper roll
lers on which the design is engraved be-
ing twenty-one inches wide. though the
circumference which gives the length of
the design may vary. There are different
ways in which one may set out designs,
and before starting it is necessary to de-
eide whether it is to be striped design,
an all-over pattern or unit. Having de-
ternined what lines to work upon, the
next thing is to choose plant which will
carry out the idea suitably without fore
ing it into unnatural shapes. Michael
mas daisies. hOllyhocks and apple bios
SONS. would all lend themselves admira-
bly, to a vertical treatment, while peoples.
wild rose and blackberry suggest flowing
lines and beautiful curves. In order to
make a successful design, a most careful
pencil study should be made Of tho selec-
ted plant; even the roots of small ones
must not be neglected. The general
growth should be noted, then separate
studies made of the plan of the flower.
with the arrangement of the stamens
side view, back; also plan of the leaf
veining. stem, thorns. and junction of
stalks to the main stem, and any other
characteristics which may be observed
A color study should also be made. and
particular note taken of the immediate
surroundings of the plant, as all this as
sists in working out designs and in the
arrangement of colorS.
For instance, when the bluebellS were
carpeting the woods in May they produc-
ed a soft purple effect intermingied with
green. and patch here and there Of
scheme, and I now have a piece of frieze
at my studio worked out in these colors,
the effect being most satisfactory. In
Wallpaper designing the number Of colors
must be limited, as separate roller is
necessary for each color, this. of course
involving additional expense in printing.
Five or six colors at most should be used,
unless there is particular demand for
more. and it is amazing what delightful
effects may be gained by veining the leaf
with the color of the flower, or outlining
the flower with the color of the stem.
When shaded flowers or leaves are used
they are often colored in with three tints,
light. dark, and medium, the last being
obtained by mixing some of the light and
dark. The flower or leaf is then painted
in with tie medium tone, the lights and
shades being added, when the first color
is dry. in bold. firm strokes. AS body COL
or is always used for wallpapers, this is
perfectly. simple to manage. Ordinary
tube watcr-colors are the best for the
purpose, the students colors being quite
good enough. These should be mixed
with zinc-white, which has already been
ground into a smooth paste with gum
arabic. When the desired tint has been
obtained, the mixture must be of the con-
sistercy and srnoothness of cream, when
it is delightful to work with. Many peo-
pie use powder colors. These are cheaper,
but have, I think, many drawbacks, and
have quite given up using them In set
ting to work to color design, the back
ground color should be laid first with a
broad hoghair brush, and when this is
dry the design can easily be transferred
by means OF carbon paper. Designs for
Wallpapers fetch good prices, and there
are many firms who are open to consider
designs when submitted to them. and as
people redecorating their houses rejoice in
finding something quite new in wall pa
pe,s. original artists ought to do we'll
Hatch in tho Queen