Usually the panel shape is preferred, and ciel blue, maroon, pale yel- low, olive green, gray, old gold and black, are the colors preferred. Take the silk and line it with two thicknesses of paper cambric. It is better to use white cambric, as a dark shade will sometimes be percep- tible through the texture of the silk. Cut the lining somewhat narrower than the outside silk, place it on the silk, and sew up the two opposite long edges. Then turn it so that the seams will be inside, leaving the top and bottom edges raw and unfinished, and stretch it upon a draw- ing-board or small table ready to paint. If unused to the free handling of the brush, the worker may find it desirable to trace the outline of the design with faint pencil marks upon the silk. Afterward the color may be carefully laid on, and the design may then be enlarged or improved upon as desired. Water-colors are preferable in painting upon silk, though oil paints, if carefully put on, may also be used. Daisies, thistles, wheat, clover, grasses, water lilies, Cherokee wild roses, morning glories, scarlet cocks'-combs, cat-tails and Japan lilies are among the prettiest flower designs. Three or four peacock plumes carefully grouped together, a stork, peacock or scarlet flamingo are among the odd designs for screens. When the painting is completed the silk panel must then be framed. Plush or velvet is generally used for the frame or border, put on the top and bottom edges, and the sides left plain. The frame is usually of a contrasting color in bamboo, reeds or wood. STUDIO HINTS. Successive coats of varnish may be removed from a plain, uncarved surface by rubbing with ordinary sand-paper. Where there is fine carving, take a stick, sharpened and rounded at the end, and cover the rounded part neatly with sand-paper, rolled or glued on. The " rubber " may be worked in the fine spaces to rub the varnish off. Another method is to take a piece of haircloth, pour linseed oil and fine rotten- stone on the varnish, and rub continuously until the wood underneath 308 PAINTING. reappears. To remove paint from canvas and wood, lay your canvas on a flat surface, placing a smooth thin pad of paper or cotton cloth under it. Sponge the surface with spirits of turpentine, to soften the surface ; then, with a nail brush, sponge, or pad of coarse linen, wash and rub the canvas gently with warm soft water and soap ; a small quantity of ammonia will facilitate the operation. A strong, warm solu- tion of soda, rubbed on the surface, will remove old paint. Spirits of turpentine or benzine will also remove paint from wood. To make bamboo easels : get the bamboo, bend it into shape, and glue. Use ordinary white or brown glue ; the latter is the stronger kind. Soak the glue over night, boil in a small vessel set in a larger vessel of water for several hours. Heat the parts of the bamboo to be joined together and apply the glue boiling hot, and at about the consistency oJ[ thick treacle. TRANSFER WORK.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Usually the panel shape is preferred, and ciel blue, maroon, pale yellow, olive green, gray, old gold and black, are the colors preferred. Take the silk and line it with two thicknesses of paper cambric. It is better to use white cambric, as a dark shade will sometimes be perceptible through the texture of the silk. Cut the lining somewhat narrower than the outside silk, place it on the silk, and sew up the two opposite long edges. Then turn it so that the seams will be inside, leaving the top and bottom edges raw and unfinished, and stretch it upon a drawing-board or small table ready to paint. If unused to the free handling of the brush, the worker may find it desirable to trace the outline of the design with faint pencil marks upon the silk. Afterward the color may be carefully laid on, and the design may then be enlarged or improved upon as desired. Water-colors are preferable in painting upon silk, though oil paints, if carefully put on, may also be used. Daisies, thistles, wheat, clover, grasses, water lilies, Cherokee wild roses, morning glories, scarlet cocks'-combs, cat-tails and Japan lilies are among the prettiest flower designs. Three or four peacock plumes carefully grouped together, a stork, peacock or scarlet flamingo are among the odd designs for screens. When the painting is completed the silk panel must then be framed. Plush or velvet is generally used for the frame or border, put on the top and bottom edges, and the sides left plain. The frame is usually of a contrasting color in bamboo, reeds or wood. STUDIO HINTS. Successive coats of varnish may be removed from a plain, uncarved surface by rubbing with ordinary sand-paper. Where there is fine carving, take a stick, sharpened and rounded at the end, and cover the rounded part neatly with sand-paper, rolled or glued on. The " rubber " may be worked in the fine spaces to rub the varnish off. Another method is to take a piece of haircloth, pour linseed oil and fine rottenstone on the varnish, and rub continuously until the wood underneath reappears. To remove paint from canvas and wood, lay your canvas on a flat surface, placing a smooth thin pad of paper or cotton cloth under it. Sponge the surface with spirits of turpentine, to soften the surface ; then, with a nail brush, sponge, or pad of coarse linen, wash and rub the canvas gently with warm soft water and soap ; a small quantity of ammonia will facilitate the operation. A strong, warm solution of soda, rubbed on the surface, will remove old paint. Spirits of turpentine or benzine will also remove paint from wood. To make bamboo easels : get the bamboo, bend it into shape, and glue. Use ordinary white or brown glue ; the latter is the stronger kind. Soak the glue over night, boil in a small vessel set in a larger vessel of water for several hours. Heat the parts of the bamboo to be joined together and apply the glue boiling hot, and at about the consistency oJ[ thick treacle. TRANSFER WORK.

The household (of the Detroit free press)