These atomizers are generally made with metal tubes, which will become clogged and useless unless washed out after using each time, with warm water. The simple glass atomizers must also be kept clean in this way, for they are very easily broken if a pin is used to clean the openings, and the slightest break at the joints renders them useless.
OUTFIT FOR SKETCHING.
Charcoal is used by artists for sketching out of doors in preference to any other material, as by its means such quick results are obtained and large effects produced with comparative ease.
As one never knows how long a tramp will be necessary before the proper subject or view appears, it is well to make every thing as compact as possible.
A small sketching easel which can be reduced to a thin bundle of sticks is considered indispensable by some, but as this is rather awkward to carry, most artists prefer a block.
THE BLOCK, OR PAD.
This consists of a number of sheets of charcoal paper, cut exactly the same size, laid together and pressed so as to greatly reduce the bulk of the paper in its ordinary shape. These form a block or table of sufficient substance and firmness to be held comfortably upon the knees while sketching.
The upper leaf is used for the drawing, and is then loosened with a penknife passed around the edges, which are held together with a band of paper. This leaf is then easily detached from the block, and being fixed is laid aside while another drawing is commenced on the clean sheet exposed on the top of the block.
These blocks can be bought already prepared at any good art dealers at reasonable prices, which vary according to the size and quality of the paper.
A block made of ordinary French charcoal paper measuring 4½×6 inches costs at retail, 25 cents. A small block like this is only good for pocket sketches and notes. A more useful size is 6×9, which may be obtained for 35 cents.