For a background for full and three-quarter length portraits, a light bluish grey is the best colour, it should not be a flat tint, but graduated with soft clouds of various shades. To make such backgrounds requires considerable skill. As a makeshift for occasional work, the sheet may be stained with coffee to a light brown. If it is to receive a flood of light, it may be darker, and if in the shade, lighter. The exact tint is best found by experience. Or Maypole soap may be used, in which case an orange yellow should be chosen. In any case the background should be stretched tight on a frame or suspended from a roller with a rod at the bottom. Creases are very objectionable.