In the painting of flowers, dusting is often used to soften or darken them. This process, however, is not always confined to the flower alone, but is used to blend the rose, or whatever the flower may be, with the background. It has a very softening and pleasing effect.
In figure painting, dusting a flesh tone on the cheek will improve it very much.
An artist will feel well repaid for time devoted to investigating the many possibilities of this branch of painting, for crude and uneven work can be remedied by this process.
Gold or silver must not be applied after an article has been dusted in this way. The metal is usually tacky and may retain some of the little particles, and this would mar the brilliancy of either metal.
OUTLINING
For outlining china, this method—which saves one or two firings—can be used and will be found most practical.
Mix whatever dry color you wish, with water and add a couple of drops of mucilage or sugar syrup. Mix well with palette knife. Use this mixture as you would water colors—and outline the design with a lining brush. The lines will dry very quickly and in case you want to erase them, use water. Then, too, if the color dries on the palette, water should be used—and mix well. These outlines will remain perfectly, and you can paint and repaint over them—there being no danger of rubbing off and will show through oil mixed colors.
If the background is applied with regular mixed colors—and the design cut out and tinted, you can have a piece of decorated china complete with one firing. The outlines will fire clearly, but if outlined in India ink they would have disappeared.