In cutting an Incised Inscription with the ordinary “V” section (see fig. [217]), use one size of chisel throughout. The width of the chisel should generally be about the width of the letter stem required. More elaborate sections necessitate the use of several sizes of chisels.
INCISED LETTERS & LETTERS IN RELIEF
Inscriptions may be Incised or in Relief, that is, sunk or raised.[127] The modus operandi and the time spent in carving the actual letters are the same in either case, but whereas when the Incised letter is carved there is nothing more to be done, after the carving of the Raised letter there is still the stone surrounding it (i.e. the background) to be dealt with, and this may simply be carved smooth,[128] or, if our imagination be strong enough, and our hand have the cunning, it may become under the tool a field of roses and lilies in which the letters are set.
Other things being equal, it becomes a question of economy which form of lettering one will carve, as the necessity of dealing with the background of a Raised Inscription, while more than doubling the opportunities of the carver, at least doubles the time spent in carving.
Raised lettering will show out more clearly than Incised lettering where there is little light. [p404]
Roman Capitals are more adapted for carving in Relief than are Roman small-letters or Italics, which are directly derived from the pen.
Raised lettering is more allied to ordinary carving, while Incised lettering may be thought of as writing in stone. [p405]