68. Woods may be divided into two general classes:

1st. Those that are close grained and which when sawed into boards show very fine pores, or perhaps very little if any perceptible to the naked eye, as “holly,” for instance, and in a lesser degree in “satinwood.”

2d. Those that are composed of long, coarse ligaments, which when sawed into boards show a great number of pores, especially when the growth is comparatively regular, as in chestnut, walnut, etc.; with a great number which lie between the two extremes.

69. There might be added a third division for those woods which have a jerky, crosswise fashion of growing, which to the unwary look as if there was no system in their growth, as in sycamore, rosewood, etc., but which they have as regular as any other just the same, as a kinky haired American of African extraction could truthfully claim for his tangled up specimen as against the rigid growth of that of the American Indian. As with hair, it will be found that most of the woods which grow in a tangled way are composed of very fine fibres, which grow closely together and therefore can be classed in class 1.

70. Before commencing the descriptions of the graining of the various woods it was thought best to examine some few general characteristics which belong to each class, and the student will then be able to tell at sight almost what may be the best manner in which the graining shall proceed, either in oil or in distemper. Woods of class one, as a rule being close grained, need no stippling, as few pores show up separately as such, and it was shown that this is the main object of stippling.

On the other hand, nearly all woods that are classed in class two, but more especially those which are on the extreme side of that class should be stippled by all means, and the others are greatly helped by a partial stippling at least.

Included in as stippling must be added the check roller work, as this may be done in such a way as to replace the stippling done with the flogger for certain woods, in the graining of some peculiar specimen of quartered oak especially.

71. Before attempting to do any graining, the student is earnestly advised to procure a number of small pieces of veneers of the various woods; to glue them over smooth boards, fill them with a good hardwood filler if open grained; if not shellac them over with two coats of shellac, which he should also give to the open wood sample after having filled them and smoothed them properly. Then give them one or two coats of good varnish, when he will have object lessons which will prove invaluable to him. Let him not confine himself to one, two or three specimens of the same wood, but let him pick out as many as he can afford to do, in order that he may study their variations and different modes of growth, or he may get stuck into ruts and routine in his style of graining which he must try to avoid as much as possible.

There is nor cannot be any better teacher than these samples will be. They need not cost much either. Frequently they can be obtained for a song at some of the furniture factories from ends that are too short for use in their regular work.

72. As it is a matter of indifference at least in practicing studies as to the colors that are used in doing graining, the student can paint a ground color upon any convenient board or old door and practice upon it. He had better have several; at least, he should have two—one for practicing graining in oil and another for graining in distemper. With plenty of rags and turpentine or benzine he can wipe out his work as easily as upon a blackboard, and he can recommence it again and again until he is ready to quit and then he can wipe it off, and it will be ready for the next time. This advice is good, for it will not do for the beginner to try his hand upon actual work until he is sufficiently sure of his skill that he will not make a botch of it. He can try all the various general operations mentioned above, and apply them as nearly as he can to the particular needs of the wood he wishes to imitate, referring first to the special details that are given under each of the woods in subsequent chapters.

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grained door

QUESTIONS ON LESSON XIV.

68. How may all the various woods be classed?

69. What is said of woods of gnarled growths?

70. When do the wood imitations need stippling?

71. What is said regarding the preparation of various samples of veneers for study?

72. What advice is given about preparing practice boards for graining study?