Reproducing Flowers and Leaves in Colors
A very cheap, easy, and quick way to make reproductions of flowers, leaves, insects, butterflies, etc., is the following: Purchase 1 oz. of bichromate of potash and dissolve it in water. Spread this fluid over the surface of the paper upon which the picture is to be made, using a soft brush, and place it in a dark room to dry. When dry it will be a light lemon color.
The leaf, or part to be reproduced, is placed upon the yellow side of the paper and the whole exposed to the sunlight. The uncovered portions will gradually turn brown, while the part covered by the object will remain a lemon color. When the desired shade of brown is attained, remove the paper from the sunlight, and the image of the object will be on the paper.
Go over the outline with crayons or colors, and fill in the print according to the natural colors. Very beautiful pictures may be made in this way, and a butterfly made up in natural colors on a dark-brown ground is very pretty. These prints, uncolored, will keep for some time, if they are not exposed to a strong light.
Washing as ordinary photographic prints are treated will improve them a little. If the instructions are followed, many beautiful objects can be preserved in color.—Contributed by J. B. Murphy, Plainfield, N. J.