Former chapters will have placed the student in possession of the theory regulating the employment of Lithographic Stones as well as the art of preparing them for printing. He has also been shown the uses and nature of transfer-paper, and the materials for writing and drawing upon it. He is now ready to commence the actual practice of Lithography.

As the latter is a very comprehensive and complicated subject, it may be well to take it up at that part which offers fewest obstacles to the beginner. For this reason we begin with Lithography on Transfer-Paper

67. To Prepare The Ink.—Take a small white delft or china saucer, or a small tin patty-pan about three inches in diameter, and having warmed it at the fire or over the gas until it is as hot as it can well be borne in the hand, rub the stick of ink round and across it so as to cover it thinly. Then out of die bottle (see par. 8) shake a few drops of water, and with the second finger of the right hand rub it until the ink is dissolved. Then add more water cautiously, until it is brought to a proper consistency for use, which can only be learnt from an adept, or by experience. If it is very pale and flows too freely, it is too thin and may not transfer properly; if too thick it will not work pleasantly, and will spread in transferring.