But I prefer the method I have proved from 14 years' experience.,- Mix the paste very carefully free from lumps when it begins to swell by the fire pour into it some Venice turpentine, previously warmed - say to half a pint one spoonful of Venice turpentine. Lay this on the canvas with brush and flatten it with a palette knife - it is well to put a little vermilion or other colour in the mixture to know whether the canvas is well covered, as without it the cloth and the paste are so near of a colour that some places may be left. When this is dry, pumice off the lumps and knots of thread and give the canvas one or two coats of paint using the pumice as before.,