Measuring Colour by Spoon; Giving the Lights
Why a lit field is brighter near a shadow indoors than outdoors
The page finishes the recipe for doubling light on a colour, then advises measuring pigment quantities exactly with a little spoon, levelled off with a small rule as grain is measured when sold; a small spoon is drawn in the margin. Chapter [757] explains why the lit field around a derivative shadow looks brighter near the shadow indoors than in open country: this happens when the field is lit from a window, and the full reason is deferred to the book on shadow and light. Chapter [758], 'On giving the lights,' directs the painter to lay a universal shadow over every part not seeing the light, then middle shadows, then the principal ones by comparison. The hand is clear throughout.
On this page
Measuring pigment with a little spoon and rule
To measure colour quantities exactly, use a small spoon to take equal amounts, then level it off with a small rule as is done when measuring grain for sale. A small spoon is drawn in the right margin to illustrate the tool.
[757] Why a lit field is brighter near a shadow indoors
The bright field surrounding a derivative shadow is brighter close to the shadow than in more remote parts; this occurs when the field is lit by a window and not in open country. The full cause is promised for the book on shadow and light.
[758] Giving the lights: universal, middle, then principal
First lay a universal shadow over the whole containing part that does not see the light, then add middle shadows, and finally the principal lights by comparison one with another.