Fig. 253.
If you are fond of
Nature Study
and happen to have vines or any other kind of house plants, you can make valuable ink sketches from them. Break off a few pieces of the main growth. Take one at a time, and with the left hand hold the spray either in the bright sunlight or lamplight in such a way as to cast a distinct clean shadow upon the paper pad that is placed beneath it. With a brush dipped into the ink, paint over the shadow; be careful to follow every turn and twist of leaf and stem, that the sketch may be true in every detail. You will find the work to be quick and easy and the results satisfactory. In no other
Fig. 254. way can better characteristic growth of the various specimens be obtained. Notice carefully Fig. 254,
Fig. 255. and it will give a true idea of the plant; and Fig. 255, how naturally and gracefully the vine turns in curving lines. Fig. 256 gives sprigs from four different plants. Can you name them? All the studies are decorative and furnish original designs for embroidery,
