The Roman
Alphabet
& its
Derivatives

colour: built-up or heavy letters in black show extra
black beside lighter writing, while the latter appears
grey in comparison (see figs. 197, 186); in red
writing the heavy letters appear red, the lighter
letters, pink (see fig. 90).

Contrast of Size.—The simplest decorative con¬
trast is that of LARGE1 letters with smaller
letters (fig. 185); the strokes being of equal, or

IMPL6 contrast"1

OF SIZE: HARMONY*

OF FORM,wei6Ht
AND COLOUR^

Fig. 185.

nearly equal, weight, there is an harmonious even¬
ness of tone throughout. Where the large letters
are very much larger, their parts are made somewhat
heavier to keep their apparent “weight” approxi¬
mately equal (see p. 422). This is one of the most
effective treatments for inscriptions generally (see
p. 263, and Plates V. and XXIV.).

Contrasts of “weight” and size.—In simple writ¬
ing these are obtained by using two sizes of pen—
the small, light letters being used for the bulk of the

1 Where there is only a slight difference in size, the effect is
improved by using a different form or colour (see pp. 96, 309).

292

text, the larger heavier letters being used for occa¬
sional words or lines (or vice versa). This is a very
effective simple treatment for MSS. (fig. 186).

afev lines of
nuii

Writing an. aqjfcbieT'

simple contrast of size & colour.
THelarqju- writing is convenient¬
ly written between every other "
pair of writmj-Unes. It may be
more decotatively treated.. (

FlC. 186.—{See also fig. 191.)

The occasional letters may be more decoratively
treated (see Responses and Rubrics, p. 309) by intro¬
ducing the further contrasts of colour (p. no) or
form (p. 300).

29З

The Roman
Alphabet
& its
Derivatives