PORTRAITURE examples being found in the accompanying illustrations, which show all the means enumerated. The custom so often followed of placing a light portion of the figure against a dark background area, and vice versa, is generally destructive of atmosphere, causing spottiness and making the figure "jumpy "; but a reversal of the process, in which a light area grades into a light background, and dark into dark, is productive of great breadth and solidity. The use of what is termed the "lost and found outline,'' where the edges of the figure merge into the background, appearing again by reason of contrast as we follow them around the picture space, also gives breadth and firmness, and effectually serves to connect the figure with the frame, being probably the strongest of all methods for securing the desired holding of the picture within the space assigned to it. A sense of atmosphere is often obtained through the use of leading lines conducting the eye back into the picture, and a foreground object is at times employed to set the figure back, though this device savors rather of cheapness and sensationalism, a proper adjustment of 285
Zn•r
7.
ri't'
'•'vt