When you have finished constructing the cut-out shadow figures, your next problem will be making the scenery. Composition and pattern are extremely important in shadow pictures, for nothing in the world reveals the fascination of dark and light more than the shadow play. If you can recall the beauty of the landscape in a heavy winter snowstorm when the branches and trunks of the trees are velvety black against masses of white, you can appreciate this. Every tree has a characteristic silhouette which everyone recognizes. A shadow pine tree must suggest the silhouette of the pine, likewise the oak, the elm, and the poplar, must suggest their silhouettes. So, too, with flowers and grasses. The wide prairies were suggested by the coarse prairie grass in the _Indian and the Oki_. Summer meadows were suggested by the flowers and slender grasses in _The Shepherdess_. When you have finished the plans for a scene take crayon or soft pencil and draw it in outline on one of the screens. Use black showcard color to fill that part of your scene which is to be dark. For a black silhouette paint both sides of the screen. Distant hills and trees should be painted on one side only. For lighting use a lantern or an extension light. Place it about six feet directly behind the screen. Color can be thrown on the screen by placing a sheet of colored gelatine in front of the light. Experiment with the light and color until you get the effects you wish. If you use tracing cloth, such as the architects use, for your screen, you may paint on it directly, with transparent water colors. When the light comes through this screen, if you have kept your colors clear, brilliant, and well related, the effect will be charming. [Illustration: _Behind the scenes in the human shadow play, "The Indian and the Oki." Here you can see the well-stretched sheet on its large frame, the beaver board trees (left), great rock (right), bristol board foliage, grasses, and flowers, the bridge resting on 8″ horses. Notice that the actors stand very near the screen. The two actors on the right concealed by the great rock from the audience are manifesting the pair of fighting sparrows. The girl on the left is manifesting the rabbit which is shown in Scene I._ ] The shadow figure is manipulated from below. This means that you must stand below the screen so that your own shadow will not be cast upon the screen. As you bring your shadow figure forward, you will notice that as it approaches the screen it grows smaller and smaller. To prevent the figure from varying in size it should be held close against the screen. Unlike the marionette that moves forward and backward as well as to the right and left, the shadow figure can move only to the right or left. With this limitation, however, it is surprising to find how many movements and gestures are possible. Suit the action to the word. Avoid jerky gestures and repetition of the same gesture.