The art of painting wherein is included the whole art of vulgar painting, according to the best and most approved rules for preparing an [sic] laying on of oyl colours : the whole treatise being so full, compleat, and so exactly fitted to the meanest capacity, that all persons whatsoever may by the directions contained therein be sufficiently able to paint in oyl colours, not only sun-dials, but also all manner of timber work ... / composed by John Smith, philomath.

CHAP. XIII. The Practice of Painting Sun-Dials.

WHen according to the Rules given in the Books afore∣mentioned, you have drawn on Pa∣per the draught of your Dial; and that your Board be ready, and your Colours prepared according to the Directions before given, you must in the Painting of your Dial pro∣ceed thus; Take Spanish Brown that is well ground and mixed some∣what thin, and with a large Bristle Brush dipt therein colour your Board or Playn all over on every side, so that you leave no part uncoloured; this is called the Priming of your Dial: When this first Colour is dry, do it over again with more of the

same Colour tempered somewhat thicker; and when this is also dry, you may if you please do it over again with the same Colour, your Work will be the substantialler, and last longer.

When this last time of Colouring with your Red Lead be dry, then with White Lead colour the face of your Playn over, and when it is dry work it over again three or four times more successively after each drying, so shall the face of your Playn be sufficiently defended a∣gainst the many years fury and vio∣lence of weather.

When the last Colouring of your White be dry, you must draw on your Playn (with a Black-Lead Pen∣cil) a Horozontal Line so far distance from the upmost edge of your Dial, as your discretion shall think fit, or

your Experience finds to be most becoming your Playn; then set out the Margin of your Dial with boun∣dary Lines for the hour, half hour, and quarter divisions of your Dial (as in most Dials you see is done): when you have thus set out the Margin and Boundary Lines of your Dial, then take your Paper draught fairly drawn, and place the Horo∣zontal Line which you before drew on your Playn; in doing of which observe to place the Center accord∣ing as the situation of your Playn for Convenience sake requires: thus; If your Dial be a full South Dial, then let the Center be exactly in the middle of your Playn: but if your Dial decline from the South either East or West, then place not the Center of your Draught in the Center of your Playn, but nearer to one side or other of it, according as it declines, having also respect to

the quantity of its declination.

For Example: If your Dial de∣cline Eastwards, then let the Cen∣ter of your Draught be plac't be∣tween the Center and the Eastern side of your Playn, the quantity thereof must be according as your Dial declines; if it decline but a lit∣tle, then place the Center of your Draught but a little from the Cen∣ter of your Playn; and if it declines much, place the Center of your Draught the more out of the Center of your Playn: The reason of my advising this, is, that by so doing you may gain a greater distance for those hour-Lines, which in declining Playns fall nearer together on one side then they are on the other; for which reason I alwaies use it in all declining Playns, except they de∣cline far, as between 80 and 90 de∣grees; for then we commonly draw

them without Centers, to gain the more distance for the hour Lines.

When your Paper Draught is thus Artificially placed on the Playn, and fastened with pins or small tacks; then let the draught thereof be transferred to the Playn, by laying a Ruler over every hour, half hour, and quarter division: and where your Ruler shall cut or intersect the boundary lines of your Margin, there make marks by drawing Lines with a Black-Lead Pencil, of such a length as each division requires (or is de∣signed by your boundary lines) ob∣serving alwaies to draw the hour, and half hour lines quite through your Margin, that they may be guides for the right placing the Fi∣gures, and for a small spot that is usually placed in the Margin, right against the half hour.

When your Dial Draught is thus transferred to the Playn it self, you must not forget to draw the substill Line according as it lyeth in your Draught, to be your guide for the right placing your Still or Cock; for you must in every particular be very exact, or else your Dial cannot be good.

When you have taken every thing that is required from your draught, and have transferred it to the Playn, then take your draught off, and with Vermillion very well ground and pre∣pared, as before is taught, let the boundary Lines of your Dial, as also the hour, half hour, and quarter di∣visions be drawn therewith; let your Colour be as thick and stiff as you can possible work it, so as to draw a clear and smooth line.

When your Vermillion Lines are

drawn, then with Lamp-Black let the Figures be drawn, a spot in the mid∣dle of the Margin right against the half hour line; and if you please in the Margin at the top of your Playn you may put the date of the Year, your Name, or some divine sentence, as is usual in things of this nature: then fit in your Cock so as to make right Angles with the Playn, so shall your Dial be drawn and finished in all respects as a plain Dial ought to be.