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Brushes and Pencils.

The Fine Arts are not exempt from the necessities which accompany all other Arts.  Whatever [[strikethrough]] aid [[/strikethrough]] may be the power of Genius, it is not easy to make good work without good tools; and therefore it is necessary for the Painter to know and possess the best Instruments & materials for his purpose - And although it is possible for an ingenious Artist to perform much with very [[strikethrough]] poor and [[/strikethrough]] slender means, this is a poor thing to boast of, and his talents would have better play and could accomplish more, were he furnished with the best and most appropriate. [[strikethrough]] materials [[/strikethrough]] For some purposes old and stiff brushes may answer to lay on and scumble the paint; but to produce the finishing touches, brushes and pencils of various forms and qualities are necessary - some broad and flat - some pointed - some long and loose, &c.  The vulgar saying that "a new broom sweeps clean", is applicable to painting.  Certain finishing touches can only be made with the fine hair of a new brush, which cannot be done with the same brush when it has become worn and square and harsh at its end.  Some of the finishing touches, especially the delicate hatching of the lights and gray tints, can scarcely be made without those soft pointed, yet firm and elastic brushes - a few new ones, therefore should be allotted for every Portrait that is begun.

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Improvement of Brushes.

As the Artist cannot always have new Brushes of the best shape and quality, it will be of some advantage to know how to improve those which have become unfavorable for use; although it sometimes happens that a half-worn brush may acquire a shape & texture peculiarly agreeable and convenient for some purposes.  Take a Sheet of Sand paper (usually made with ground glass); place a board or Portfolio on your lap; and, with a steady Motion, draw your brush over it sloping in the direction of the bristles, or as if painting with it, from one end of the paper to the other, pressing on the hairs sufficiently to answer each desired purpose.  The Glass paper must not be too Coarse - and the brush must not be wet.  The fine points of the Glass will split and wear off the hairs of even a coarse brush & give it something of the pointed form & fineness of