This having been done, the picture has then to be coated with the fixing varnish, either using a brush or pouring it on as a photographer would do; or, when it has covered the surface, allowing it to run back into the bottle from one of the corners. The varnish is then allowed to dry, after which the picture is again to be examined, the shadows of the buildings and the trees are to be filled in, and the colour strengthened where the picture seems to need it. Snow and moonlight effects are produced chiefly by removing the colour in places by means of a knife and needle-point.
The rules given above apply also to the colouring of photographs for the magic lantern.
II. How to Make a Cheap Magic-Lantern.
By Frank Chasemore.
If you were to go to a shop to buy a lantern like the one I am going to describe, it would cost thirty-five shillings, but you will be able to make it for fourteen or fifteen. I will tell you what mine cost me, including the slides. The lantern cost me fifteen shillings.
| £ | s. | d. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lantern | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Colours | 0 | 10 | 6 |
| Glass | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Paper | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Varnish | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| £1 | 12 | 6 |
With these colours and glass I have painted 250 slides, which to buy would cost two shillings each, and the cost of lantern and 250 slides would thus be:—
| £ | s. | d. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lantern | 1 | 16 | 0 |
| 250 slides at 2s. | 25 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | 15 | 0 | |
| 1 | 12 | 6 | |
| £25 | 2 | 6 |
making a clear saving of £25.
Besides this, you have the double pleasure of making the lantern and painting the slides, and showing it as your own work. The picture shown by this lantern will be nine or ten feet in diameter, and will be large enough to show full-sized slides if you should at any time buy any. If you do buy, I should recommend the uncoloured photographs (1s. 6d. each), to be got at all shops where they sell lanterns. By making two of these lanterns you can use them for dissolving views, which is by far the best way to exhibit the slides. Many brilliant effects can be obtained with two lanterns that it would be impossible to do with a single lantern. I should certainly advise you to try this. Both lanterns can be made at the same time; the directions for one will do for both. But we must get on with our description.