The Art of Graining: How Acquired and How Produced. With the description of colors and their applications.

"The Art of Graining: How Acquired and How Produced" by Charles Pickert is a comprehensive manual from the 1870s that explains the craft of imitating wood finishes, mainly for interior decorators and craftsmen. This book works as a guide for gaining knowledge of the materials and skills needed for wood imitation. Instructions include how to make finishes that look like real oak, walnut, rosewood, and maple through surface preparation, color mixing, and graining methods. It focuses on maintaining visual alignment between the imitation and the real thing. Artisans can follow the detailed steps, tool lists, and color recipes, that allow them to create realistic wood finishes, increasing the visual value of their artistic creations.