No part of our subject at all equals in artistic importance that upon which we are about to enter, viz. that of drawing in crayon or chalk upon the stone. By it an accomplished artist is enabled to reproduce the works of our best painters in a manner but little inferior to that of the best engravings; and we feel convinced that if the same study and talent were bestowed upon lithography as is necessary for engraving, our favourite art would be found quite equal to the successful reproduction of all classes of pictures.

88.The drawing on stone treated of in the last chapter refers more especially to that kind of lithography usually denominated “ink” or “line work,” and executed on polished stones; while that upon which it is proposed now to enter is called chalk or crayon drawing, and derives its name from similar work upon paper, which it may be said to excel.

Instead of being polished, the surface of the stone is, for this kind of work, broken up into minute points, technically called “a grain,” which, when drawn upon, receives the lithographic chalk in proportion to the pressure employed. This grain is most essential, not only in giving clearness of texture and transparency in the impressions, but, by reason of its hardness and sharpness, acting as a rasp to take off a sufficient quantity of crayon to give blackness and body to each dot.