THE USE OF LINES
As said before, lines should not be crowded. If a shaded effect is required, parts of the lines may touch, but keep the lines well separated so that the parts not touching will not run together when reproduced.
Study all lines in the fashion papers, cut out examples as you have done for other lessons. Different artists use different kinds of lines; become familiar with them all.
Line 1 is used for trimmings, worsted, etc. Lines 2 and 4 are used for lace; lines 3 for feathers; lines 5 for designs and trimmings; lines 6 for fullness. Practice with bold strokes. Lines 7 are used for chiffon keep the lines fine. Lines 8 and 9 are used for silk keep lines well spaced, fitting one cluster into another. Lines 10 are used for hair; lines 11 for crepe; lines 12 for woolen goods this is done with the point of the pen; be careful not to make hooks at the ends of the dots. This is called stipple and may be scattered all over a garment which gives a light tone, or the dots may fall on top of one another, or be placed close together, which causes a dark shade. This is an easy way to shade a drawing.
Spatter work is the spattering of ink all over the part to be covered. Put a little ink in a saucer, dip a tooth-brush in it, and while holding the bristles down, run a knife over them, of course, covering the part not to be spattered. Try this out on a separate piece of paper.
A line may be very fine but must be black. See method of reproduction, Lesson XXVIII.
FRENCH WASH
French wash is an outline ink drawing, rendered on illustration board with flat washes of gray, lamp black water-color
paint being used. The shadows may be strengthened by darker tones. This is difficult to do well, and much practice is required. Follow directions carefully.
DIRECTIONS FOR FRENCH WASH
Mix the tones of gray in different saucers, having more color than is needed to go over a given space. Try the color tones on a piece of paper, allowing them to dry, as when dry they will be lighter. If too dark, add water; if too light, add paint.
Hold the drawing on a slant and, beginning at the top, apply a coat of clear water all over the parts to be painted. Allow this to dry. Pick up some paint, having the brush full of color, begin at the top, and gently carry the color across the paper, allowing it to run down as it is carried across. Never go back or allow the color to dry; keep the edge wet until the bottom is reached, then pick up the extra paint with the dry brush; wipe on a rag. A blotting paper is very handy if the color tries to run below the bottom line
THE BEN DAY MACHINE