Page:Cyclopedia of Painting-Armstrong, George D (1908).djvu/124

 Although to accurately test the quality of a color requires somewhat elaborate experiments, both chemical and practical, yet there is no reason why the painter should not determine with a sufficient degree of accuracy for his purpose the quality of the color he uses. Indeed, if this was done more generally, much of the adulterated trash would be driven from the market, and none would rejoice more at such a result than the color manufacturers themselves. The manufacturers assert that they are as desirous that the trade should use pure colors as the painters can possibly be. Even the biggest houses produce cheap grades of colors, and this they do, as a rule, almost under a protest and simply because they are compelled by painters demanding colors for certain low prices, far below that at which it would be possible to produce the pure article. Make careful comparison between pure colors and those being used. At the same time, compare the prices and see which is cheaper to use. If even they come out at the same price, remember that by using a pure color all the benefit of the purity of tone so necessary for the execution of good work is gained.

The first thing to be done in testing any paint material is to have a standard. There must be no doubt about this. Unless we have in each case something with which to compare the particular sample of color that is being examined, we shall have no useful information concerning it. Take, therefore, good decorators' colors of well known make. If necessary purchase small tubes of the best colors, such as are put up for artists' use. This will be rather a severe trial, but still it will afford a standard. Having such samples and going through the tests we are about to describe,