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35 69 Varnishing Pictures. It has become customary for artists to say that their Pictures should not be varnished till at least six months after being painted. This depends on circumstances. If the picture has been much oiled, or painted with much Megelp, it does not appear sunken in, it may be adviseable, when practicable, to defer it that long; but, being deferred that long, & sent home, it is apt to remain unvarnished, and afterwards is not only seen to great disadvantage, but is liable to much injury. I prefer, as soon as it can be done with safety, to give the Picture a Coat of Varnish - Copal, very much diluted with Spirits of Turpentine. Of course, the last touches must be dry enough, by exposure to the Sun, to permit this without injury. In a few days, or at most a week or two, this will be hard enough to receive a Coat of Mastic Varnish. A Picture that is not varnished, & exposed to flies, dust, & smoke, is apt to have its surface tarnished, & difficult to be cleaned; whereas those accidents are easily removed from the varnished surface. Then, after six months, or a year, the Picture may receive a more effective Coat of Varnish. Without a Coat sufficient to restore the depth of the Colours, the Artist cannot receive due credit for his work. [[symbol]] 70 Mall-stick. The Mall-stick resting on the top of the Picture near the Corner is apt to slip down. To prevent this, stick a nail or awl obliquely in at the Corner, & another some inches down, at the light side, for the convenience of changing the rest of the Mall stick. # 71 [[crossed out]] Artists [[/crossed out]] Condition of Pigments. Much of the facility & pleasure of painting depends upon the condition of the pigment, according to the stage of the work. In dead-colouring, it is desireable that they should be dense & capable of covering well; And in finishing, that they should be transparent & of a more delicate texture by the addition of Megelp or oil. "The judicious Artist purveys for his Palette at least two pigments of each colour, one eminent for delicate beauty, the other for [ richness & depth." Field
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