No. 255. A. Flat Treatment. B. Relief of Husk Leaf.
Contrast exists always, thus in the Flat with or without outline the contrast is in Light and Dark, whether colour is involved or not.
In Relief the contrast is in Light and Shade. Contrast exists also in both treatments in lines straight and curved—in the variety of the latter, in lines with mass forms, and in dominant forms with smaller detail.
In the treatment of Flat Ornament the most important considerations are play of line and silhouette, and forms should be displayed in interesting profile; perspective and foreshortening being eliminated whenever they would result in distorted or inharmonious shapes.
In Relief treatment the designer is concerned with the effect of Light and Shade in harmonious arrangement of mass and line.
Perspective and foreshortening are permissible to some extent, but are largely dependent upon the work, greater license being allowable in high than in low relief.
Treatment of Leaves
In Flat ornament, leaves are invariably in profile, but in Relief expression they may be folded, that is, wrapped round the stem. Greater freedom is possible in the turn-overs.
Relief ornament should recognise ground by details being occasionally displayed in lower relief.