THIS WEEK S BEST LETTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18780, 8 June 1929, Page 18 (Supplement)

THIS WEEK S BEST LETTER.

Dear Aunt Hilda,—l sincerely hope that you are not subject to nerves, as from this letter you will see that I am actually writing to you, after a silence °f— er —er—l think you had better reckon up, as I never can do large .sums. That drawing of "English Beauty” is simply stunning. The detail work is splendid. But there is one grave fault. The lady’s reflection in the mirror is placed on the wrong side Am I not right ? My apologies for my criticism, but, if I am right, no doubt the artist will benefit by my pointing it out. Our art mistress at" Technical College has given us a new subject to concentrate upon, which she calls “linoprinting.” It is a simplified version of woodcut-printing, which is done by many artists with quite profitable success. Lino-printing is going to be taught in most primary schools, I believe, so it will soon become fairly widely known. Nevertheless I will describe the process to you. The materials are quite cheap and easily obtainable by the greater number of children, too. They are a piece of linoleum with a dull surface (unpatterned preferably ) tor a glossy surface will not print, a rib of an umbrella, sharpened inside and out at one end (a cor.k can be i fixed on the other end to serve as a hand grip). You draw a design upon the lino, and taking your umbrella-rib proceed to carve out that part of the design which you wish to be white, so that the other part stands out. Carve fairly deeply or else the ink will catch upon the both parts instead of one. Taking a piec* of drawing paper, soak it in water and partly dry it. After coating the relieved part with Indian ink lay it upon the paper and press. After assuring yourself that enough has been printed by lifting up a corner, lift it off gently so as not to smudge These prints will save \-ou many a shilling when printed on Christinas, New' Year, birthday and wedding cards, and also really good ones can be neatly framed and so make good ornaments. I will bring you up a print that I did from lino, and also the materials, just to let you see for yourself. I shall have to close now, Aunt Hilda, as it is somewhere in the region of to-morrow.—l * 1 remain, yours truly, Eric Ryan.

CircU Artists (8/6/29) : Mary Erikson, Eileen Erikson, Jessie Young, Irene and Stella Norrie, Arthur Hopgood, Pearl Hunt, Maxie Caldow, \ enion Winter, Valerie Brockman, Mardy Thompson, Nancy Dickson, Joyce Lorgelly, Marjorie Simon, Iris Anderson, Fay Beazley, Gwen Choate, Neale Mason. Good Scribes (8/6/29): Brenda Sullivan, Nellie Gray, Courtenay Young, Hector Gemmell, Harry Bruce, Reta Campbell, Bobbie Peacock, Nellie Welsly. NOTICE. Parents are reminded of the meeting regarding annual Fancy Dress Ball to be held in the Club Room next Monday evening at 7.30 p.m. A large committee will be required, and many suggestions will be considered. Please rally .4—A. 11.