CHAPTER VII.
DECORATION OF KITES.
Kites may be decorated in three general ways. Piece work in covering; overlaying, called aplaca; and brush work. The decoration of kites presents some unique problems. The great distances at which the decorations are to be seen force a study of the carrying qualities of colors.
Fig. 116. [↑]
The star kite is probably the best for decoration, as the spacing falls in easier relationships than some of the other forms. In the kite shown in [Fig. 116] the covering is applied so as to give a decorative effect, and it showed up splendidly in the air. The colors did not stand out as well as might be expected, however, and while high in the air it was nearly overlooked by the judges. When brought nearer it received the first prize. Another way of combining colors is to make one half one color and the other half another, giving a light and shade effect to each point, [Fig. 117].
[Fig. 37] shows a pleasing arrangement of spaces. The kite is first covered with the body color, then the bandings are put on, and lastly the spots. A banding around the outside of the stars in the tail is effective and in keeping. Passe-partout is excellent for banding in some places.
The five-pointed star kite, [Fig. 38], is neat and artistic. The framework is given to the left.
The Six-pointed Star, [Fig. 118], has interesting spaces and paths. The wide paths running to the center are divided by passe-partout. The discs at the points are in keeping with the large one at the center. The main cover was in two tones of grey green. The one spine and two bowed tailless kite gives good opportunity for decoration. [Fig. 119] is designed as a banner kite, [Fig. 120] a conventionalized bull pup, and [Fig. 121] a flower form. The two stick tailless kite is not as easy to space well as some of the others, yet a number of excellently decorated kites of this form have been exhibited. [Fig. 122] has a blue body and black paths with gilt over the black. The gilt was put on by hand. [Fig. 123] is very similar in design but with light paths between dark. [Fig. 124] has a red, white and blue combination with black paths and gilt stripes on the color spaces. In [Fig. 125] the radiating lines would be curved in the air.