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28  Fixed places for Colours.

It is an advantage to have one situation [[strikethrough]] for [[/strikethrough]] on the Palette for each primary colour — and, as far as possible, for setts of tints. It saves time, and prevents mistakes under a dim light, when tints, widely different from each other, may be mistaken.

29  Gum Tragacanth.

After having procured a good sett of Brushes, it is desireable to preserve them in good order. After being used they should be cleaned daily in Spirits of Turpentine, then washed with Soap & Water, well rinsed, and pointed by drawing them between the lips.

It frequently happens that Brushes become straggling and unfit for delicate use, some being too long, or too flexible. These defects may be thus remedied. Have prepared, in a wide-mouthed Phial, some gum Tragacanth dissolved in hot water, to a delicate paste-like texture; to which add some spirits of wine to keep it from getting mouldy. Put a small quantity of this in the palm of your left hand, and after your Brushes are washed select such as require it, and thoroughly moisten them in the gum; then pass them through a rag to remove the superfluous gum from the outside, & finish by drawing them through the [[strikethrough]] mouth [[/strikethrough]] lips to a point. [[strikethrough]] The gum [[/strikethrough]] Next morning [[strikethrough]] they will be found [[/strikethrough]] when dry, they will be found stiff and apparently unfit for use, until the gum is loosened by pressure at the point, or as far up as may be desireable. The gum remaining at the base of the Brush corrects the tendency to straggle. In this manner cheap Camel hair pencils may be made as serviceable as the costly Sable. [[strikethrough]] Badger hair. [[/strikethrough]]

30  Colours in the Sunshine.

The light in the Painters Room, from the changes in the Atmosphere, by the influence of the blue sky, [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] or a reduced degree of light from a contracted window, render it sometimes difficult to judge correctly of the hues of pigments on the Palette, especially those that are dark. By holding the Palette in the Sunshine, the comparative merit of