Hand-book of wood engraving by Emerson William Andrew 1851-

Author:Emerson, William Andrew, 1851- [from old catalog]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Wood-engraving, Wood-engraving
Publisher: Boston, Lee and Shepard; New York, C. T. Dillingham
Published: 1881-03-25T05:00:00+00:00

Fig. 40. Parallel Rule.

It is usual to cover the drawing with tissue paper while the engraving is in progress, to prevent it from being soiled or the sharpness of the lines destroyed. To do this, cut a piece of paper a little larger than the block, rub the

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edges of the block with beeswax, cover it with the paper, drawing it tightly over and burnishing it on the waxed edges. The covering is then cut open at the point where the engraver is to commence, and the opening enlarged as fast a^ required.

TRANSFERS.

Fig. 41.

In making an exact copy of a wood-cut, steel or lithographic print, the labor of drawing is saved by transferring it to the block in the following manner: The block is prepared by the use of the pumice stone and water without being

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whitened. Place the print from which the transfer is to be made in an earthen plate, and pour over it a preparation, made by dissolving caustic potash in alcohol; allow it to remain about a minute, until the ink is softened; rinse the liquid off by dipping it in clear water; absorb the water by touching the lower edge of the print to a piece of blotting-paper; lay the print on the block, and subject it to the pressure of a printing-press, which will, if properly done, reproduce the picture.

Photography has of late years been extensively employed in producing pictures on the block, where drawings or transfers are impracticable, or where a photograph answers the purpose equaUy well at a much less expense.

A photograph on the wood is engraved in the same manner as a drawing on wood. In many of the illustrated magazines of the present day the original designs are first drawn upon paper, quite large, and afterwards photographed on the block reduced to the required size. In the same way machinery, furniture, buildings, landscapes, etc., may be faithfully reproduced on the block, and a more accurate result secured than if engraved from a drawing, although in working from a photograph greater skill and judgment is required to produce an effective cut.

To put a photograph on wood the assistance of

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a photographer is necessary, as it requires a negative suitable for the purpose, and a knowledge of the process which can only be gained by experience.

In most of our large cities there are artists who make a specialty of this kind of work for wood engravers.

Fig. 42. The Pantograph.

Where it is necessary to enlarge or reduce a picture before drawing upon the block, and the services of a photographer cannot be easily secured, it may be accomplished by the use of the Pantograph, a simple and inexpensive instrument, of great practical value to the designer or draughtsman.

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ENGRAVING.

The drawing, photograph or transfer being prepared on the block, the next thing to be observed is the mode of sitting at the table and holding the work. The block should rest upon the pad at such an elevation as to allow the learner to sit erect while at work.

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