Initial Letters.
A well painted initial letter is certainly quite equal to a monogram; but then it must be well painted, because, as it stands alone, it has only itself to rely upon for any effect, whereas, in a monogram, the component letters mutually assist each other.
Fig. 39.—D.
[Fig. 39].—This letter possesses all the grace of outline that could be desired in a single letter. Paint the letter in gold, shaded with asphaltum and lighted with white. If a colour be used, have one that agrees in tone with the striping on the carriage part; that is to say, if blue be used in striping, then use the same kind of blue for the letter, and so on with other colours.
We may here mention that all this kind of painting is done on the last rubbing coat of varnish, so that the letters receive a coat of varnish when the finishing coat is given.
Fig. 40.—S.
[Fig. 40].—The natural form of this letter is graceful, being composed of curves bearing in opposite directions, and which blend into each other, forming a continuous but varied line. The ornamentation also falls into the shape of the letter naturally. The upper and lower ends of the letter terminate in three stems, covered by three-lobed leafing, and the main stem of the letter is preserved in shape by appearing to grow out naturally from its outer and inner edges.
Lay in the letter with gold, on which work out the design with transparent colours. If colours only be employed the panel colour may be taken as part of the colouring of the letter; for instance, if the panel be dark brown, lake, blue, or green, mix up lighter tints of whichever colour it may be, and considering the panel colour as the darkest shade, lighten up from it.
Fig. 41.—V.
[Fig. 41].—This letter will please by the novelty of its ornamentation. The body of the letter retains its natural outline almost wholly. From the upper part of the thin stem springs a scroll, which curves downward, reaching to the middle of the letter, and from this grows out a second scroll, serving to ornament the lower portions.
Lay in the colour in harmony with the striping colour, deepening the tone of the colour on the stem of the letter, as shown by the shade lines. The leafing should be made out with light, medium, and dark tints, blended into each other so as to avoid the scratchy appearance which an opposite method produces.