(1) Raising the division[68] slightly is permissible (b, fig [161])—too much makes the top part disproportionately small (c).
(2) Widening both bows, or separating their junction from the stem, tends to dissociate the bows from the stem, making the letter less distinctive (g and i, fig. [161]).
Widening and narrowing are both allowable and occasionally desirable, but assuming that a standard or ideal width can be approximately determined, it is well to keep to it for common and ordinary use.
CHARACTERISATION OF FORMS (See also Built-Up Forms, pp. [291]–[6], and pp. [240], [253])
That the tool[69] gives character and finish to the Essential Forms of letters, can easily be proved by a little practical experience of the natural action of a properly cut pen (see figs. [142] to [148], and [162]). And the penman—or indeed any other letter-maker—is advised to allow the pen to train his hand to [p280] make the proper strokes automatically: then he may begin to master and control the pen, making it conform to his hand and so produce Letters which have every possible virtue of penmanship and are as much his own as his common handwriting.
Most of the letters in a good alphabet have specially interesting or characteristic parts (p. [250]), or they exhibit some general principles in letter making, which are worth noting, with a view to making good letters, and in order to understand better the manner in which the tool—whether pen, chisel, or brush—should be used.
The characterisation of the Roman Capital Form. Note.—The large types below are indices—not models.
A