New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-05

With the Coming Of July Hurrvlne
Crowds Of Pleasure Seekers Invade
Scores Of Beautiful Resorts Where
Varied Recreations Await Them.

son bv 4. II. Pritchard. an Irishman by
birth. now residing at Pasadena, Cal.
As a boy Mr.. Pritchard, who had a
Great ambition TO become an artist,
spent a number of years on the north
cas-, coast of Scotland. where ne
learned the delights of deep sea BATH
inc and diving. And il was the won
derful tones in blue and green and the
beauties of sea life and vegetation
which he noticed while remaining FOR
\ few seconds under water while div
inc which led him, when he ultimately
decided to devote himself TO art, TO
endeayor to paint some or the true
wonders of the sea. ,.
An extraordinary set of apparatus IN
order TO paint pictures OF the ocean
Nd and the creatures which inhaolt
tho water while actually al the DOT
,or, az the sea. Sometimes he goes
down in an ordinary diving suit, FUR
nished with pair OF pearl Divers
ooggles Al other times he wears q
divers helmet, which is connected WIN
the MINER air by means OF rubper
,uhe lie uses drawing board maue
of glass and paper which has been
soaked in cocoanut oil to make IL
Waterproof. French waterproof pants
and a heavy WEIGHT 20 keep HIM at the
bottom complete his outtt
or course. Mr.. Pritchard does NOT
finish his paintings beneath the water
Ve makes sketches in crayons Tor them
there and then ascends to fix the scene
ncrmanently in his studio. This he does
an leather. On leather alone. says me
artist. can he reproduce anything ike
the tone Of the sea.
lie has tried canvas, but tnere ne
loses the delicate blur which IN 'no
sea. takes the place OF atmosphere
n stead OF oil he uses powdered colored
chalk mixed with spirits OF rosin, III
proportions found by long experiment
That mixture. besides being durable
gives the veil-like aspect that lies over
everything submarine.
For sinking himself and his appara.
tus Mr.. Pritchard uses large piece OF
coral attached TO his belt by the use
of a hook. Having found. by means
az a GLASS bottomcd boat. the place he
PROPOSES to sketch he puts on his DIV
mo classes. fastens himself 20 the
l.mp of coral. and lowers himself over
3 the side OF his canoe. -.
Reaching the bottom, he settles MN
self upon the lump of coral when ne
uses as seat, and then hastily
sketches the view he has chosen, being
able TO remain under water from thirty
10 fortv-fve seconds, according TO the
depth and pressure Of the water.
When ready TO ascend. he unfsstens
the lump Of coral and floats to the
surface. The coral is then drawn W
by means Of rope for another descent
After having made several descents IN
this manner. he completes the sketch
and lakes sufficient color notes TO en-
able him 70 finish the picture at leisure
in his studio. The use OF diving
helmet in later years enabled him TO
complete his sketches in one descent,
Describing his sensations under the
water when painting pictures, Nj.
Pritchard says: zone is amazed 10 md
that the surface OF the water has be-
come mirror. rejecting everything
below it and shutting out the who'll
upper world The absolute silence Is
thrilling. On land we sec the founda-
tons OF every object. no matter how
large or small its bulk. but when one
looks into the depths Of the huge coral
formations under water they seem 10
be resting on deep blue air
81 have mingled freely with the
denizens Of the deep. HOLSTERS. sharks
and tunas have browsed at my feet and
chased one another about my divers
helmet. These creatures are absolute
" without fear of man. even in his
diving dress. because he is new TO their
world -Tit-Bits.