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58  Use of the Mirror
  
The mirror is called the Painter’s friend, because it shows him his faults in private, and without offensive words. This method of reversing the Picture shows ever irregularity of drawing; and the effects of colour, light and shade are better appreciated, because the picture appears to be at twice the distance. It is surprising how we are insensible to errors that grow under our own hands, which, in the words of another, we should instantly detect. The Mirror, by making the right seem to be the left, makes it as another Picture, in which the faults, in the direction of the eyes & mouth, the projection of the nose and chin, the excess or want of colors, the perspective of the shoulders, and the relief by the background, &c. are instantly perceived. It is the practice of some Painters, to turn their Portraits upside down, and thus subject them to to a critical examination. This may also be accomplished by the use of a glass Prism, held horizontally near the eye; [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] reversing it when held vertically. I have used it in Italy to look at Pictures on Cielings, which may be thus examined without raising the eyes.

59  Use of the Prism.

In consequence of the foregoing facts, I have made use of the Prism, attached to the end of a rod, the other end in a block, to slide up and down on a stand, (as for a Fire screen), for the purpose of bringing it conveniently to the eye of the Artist. This makes the Sitter's head, reversed, apparently in front below the Artists eye - and the Canvass being placed on a drawing board or stand, obliquely, between his knees,- the drawings and Colouring may be correctly copied; and [[strikethrough]] then [[/strikethrough]] afterwards compared with the [[strikethrough]] Original [[/strikethrough]] Sitter by means of a mirror. I have found this an improving mode of study.
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60  Tracing Paper.

The best quality of English Tissue paper, (or copying paper), is rendered transparent for the purposes of tracing, by varnishing  it on both sides with Copal or Furniture Varnish, diluted with Spirits of Turpentine; or with diluted Venice Turpentine. [[/strikethrough]] See page 15.

Transcription Notes:
*reversing after method is underlined *The right after mirror is underlined *the left after right is underlined *excess is underlined *perspective after colors is underlined *upside down after Portraits is underlined *Prism after glass is underlined *reversing after eye is underlined *Prism after facts is underlined *obliquely after board is underlined *both sides is underlined