AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6052, 11 April 1881, Page 5

AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS EXHIBITION.

* The exhibition was visited by a large number of people in the afternoon and evening. In the evening especially the aspect of the Choral Hall and the assemblage present was very lively and interesting. Mr. Impey's band was present, and performed selections of music. Mr. Gordon Gooch, R.A.M., Mrs. Revitt, and other ladies and gentlemen performed a selection of airs and ballads. Our attention has been called to an error in the catalogue, £5 having been put down as the price of a little sketch from the North Shore (No. 62), which should have been placed opposite the preceding one (No. 61), a picture by Miss Home, entitled "Aubrey's Hill from Manaia," which is rather a large painting. Miss (not Mrs.) Richardson's exhibit was wrougly stated, it being leatherwork frame and bracket. During Sa'urday the miscellaneous collection on the show tables was the object of special interest. Three exhibits of great importance we must notice—namely, 203, 204, and 205, which are as follow : — Photograph of original plans for the engines of a screw steamer; Original plans for the engines of a screw steamer ; a marine engine. These plans are beautifully and exactly executed, both in drawing and colouring, and might be worked from. Such plans do not perhaps come within the domain of fine art, but we conceive that something should be done in Auckland to encourage the teaching of mechanical drawing in its several branches. Almost every, artisan really requires a knowledge of drawing, and if we are to train efficient artisans, some encouragement ought to be given to this important department. The subject ought indeed to have been taught in the Grammar School, and especially at the night classes in connection with that institution, but the " reforms" we are to have are apparently to be in quite another direction. We have received some letters requiring explanation of the process of painting with water-colours. The process of painting on terra cotta in oil colours was described in our last notice of the exhibition. This is the newest form of feminine accomplishment. The process is as follows :— The application of water colours to terra cotta is more tedious and complicated than that of oil, the colours being transparent, necessitate an underground to conceal that formed by the ware. For this purpose it is requisite to coat the design—whehher black, red, lor cream—with size. This may he obtained at any artist's colourmsn, ora preparation of lavender balsam, diluted with turpentine, used as a substitute. After the ground is sized, or prepared with the mediam, which must be done smoothly and carefully, and sufficient time has been allowed for it to dry properly, the design must be sketched with Chinese white, and all the portions that are to receive bright colours must have a preliminary coat of the Chinese white made into a thin paste with the medium. The process is not necessary with the dark colours, but if you will try the experiment of laying a bright colour on the terra cotta thus prepared, and a stroke or two of the samo without the underlayer of Chinese white you will conclude the few moments' extra work amply repaid by the enhanced brilliancy of the tints. This coat of Chinese white must be laid on evenly and thickly with a flat red sable brush, which must not bo too full, great care being taken not to go beyond the limits of the design. When the white ha 3 become i parfectly d:y the colours may be iaintod, moist water colours mixed with the medium ueiug used for the purpose, the details of their shading and finishing being precisoly those of ordinary water colours. 13eforo the introduction of Chinese white, the whites used for similar purposes were made of lead or zinc, the consequence being their turning black in a few years, or even a shorter time, when used alone, or with other pigments. * f tcr the painting is perfectly dry it should have a smooth coat of the medium, and i when this, in its turn, has become dry, another of varnish may be applied. The bast cop.tl of white ■ spirit is the best for the purpose. I prefer the former ; | it should be put on very smoothly with a small flat brush, which should be used as dry as possibe. Tho whole surface may be varnished, but the effect is far preferable, if the painting is only thus treated, the bright c lour Bhowing to advantage on the dull ground. If thLs method is chosen, great care must bo taken in applying the varnish that it should not spread in the least beyond the painting. A very satisfactory result of the present exhibition is that the sales of pictures have been numerous. Many who drew prizes made a further selection, paying the difference. In this way art. has been encouraged in a substantial manner, and over an extent and variety of form not at first apparent. We would draw attention to two exhibits which belong to the department of industrial art. One of these is the etching on glass by Mr. Holland (Holland and Butler). It is badly placed, being rather out of the way. The design is that of a gigantic fern tree, with kiwis at the bottom of the stem, in the midit of other forms of the !New Zealand flora. It is intended to be used in the new mansion in course of erection for Dr. Campbell. We are requested by the committee of the Society to thank Mr. Impey, the members of his band, and the ladies and gentlemen who assisted at the concert on Saturday evening. The exhibition will bo open to-day from 9 o'clock to 9 o'clock.