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PAINTING MATERIALS

speaks of a wooden slice or slip of hardwood with tapered, straight edge for
spreading a heavy gesso on panels. He translates as 'slice/ a steccha di legnio
mentioned by Cennini (The Craftsman's Handbook, p. 21). This was used to
scrape up color from the grinding slab.

Softener (see Blender).

Spatula, a blade, usually of flexible metal, used in painting largely to mix,
spread, and transfer a somewhat thick paste of oil color (see also Palette Knife
and figure 23). The use of the spatula probably has a very long history in this art
but tools of such a general kind are little referred to in the literature.

FIGURE ai. A sight measure with an adjustable slide to be used as a finder, principally
in landscape painting. The aperture is set to the proportions of the support to be used
for a particular work. This was shown in the catalogue of Winsor and Newton for 1889
and for a few years following.
Sponge (see also Cloths). This, as a cleaning and wiping material, has probably
been used in painting from ancient times. It is referred to as part of the painter's
equipment by Pliny the Elder, and Cennino Cennini (Thompson, p. 99) speaks of
a little piece of soft sponge for spreading varnish. At present it is used largely
with water color for thinning washes on paper. Brushes, so-called, made of small
bits of sponge and mounted in handles, are supplied by some artists' colormen.
They are for picking out highlights.
Stamp (see Punch).
Stencil, a cut-out pattern, usually from a thin metal or cardboard sheet, and
so made that paint can be put into the areas left open when the stencil itself is
held tightly against the surface on which the paint pattern is to be applied. This
is used largely for repeating abstract elements in interior decoration. Books of
stencils are regularly sold by artists' colormen. A form of stencil permitting more
flexible treatment is made with a silk screen on which a ground of gesso-like com-
position takes the place of the paper or metal of the ordinary stencil. In this type
the paint in an oil medium is pressed through the fine silk gauze which covers the
more open part.
Stencilling Brush, a short, stiff brush, usually round in section and flat across
the end. It is made of bristle and is intended for use in pressing the paint into the
cut-out part of a stencil.
Stretcher* Though properly part of the support of a painting rather than a
tool in its manufacture, this device at times has been also a piece of equipment