Employed Under The Name Of Liquid Asphaltum

: ON THE SEMI-NEUTRAL, BROWN.

TTITLE BISTRE



is extracted by watery solution from the soot of wood fires, whence it

derives a strong pyroligneous scent. It is a very powerful

citrine-brown, washes well, and has a clearness suited to architectural

subjects. Its use is confined to water-colour painting, in which it was

much employed by the old masters for tinting drawings and shading

sketches, before the general application of Indian ink to such purposes.

Of a wax-like texture, it is perfectly durable, but unfitted for oil,

drying therein with the greatest difficulty.



A substance of this kind collects at the back of fire-places in cottages

where peat is the constant fuel burnt; which, purified by solution and

evaporation, yields a fine bistre, similar to the Scotch. All kinds of

bistre attract moisture from the atmosphere.



TTITLE BONE BROWN



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