Lettering Lesson 2 PDF

# LETTERING ## History and Development - The designs of modern alphabets had their origin in Egyptian hieroglyphics which were developed into a cursive hieroglyphics or hieratic writing. - This was adopted by the Phoenicians and was developed by them into an alphabet of twenty-two (22) letters. -...

# LETTERING ## History and Development - The designs of modern alphabets had their origin in Egyptian hieroglyphics which were developed into a cursive hieroglyphics or hieratic writing. - This was adopted by the Phoenicians and was developed by them into an alphabet of twenty-two (22) letters. - The Greeks later adopted the Phoenician alphabet but evolved into two distinct types in different sections of Greece namely: the Eastern Greek type used also in Asia Minor and the Western Greek type which was used in the Greek colonies in and near Italy. - In this manner, the Western Greek alphabet became the Latin alphabet about 700 B. C. - The Latin alphabet came into general use throughout the old world. - Originally the Roman capital alphabet consisted of twenty-two characters. - These characters may still be seen on Trajan's Column and other Roman monuments. - The letter V was used for both U and V until the 10th century. - Letter J, j, was adapted at the end of the 14th century as a modification of the letter I, i. - The dot over the lower-case j still indicates its kinship to letter i. - In Old English, these two letters are very much similar. - The numerous modern styles of letters were derived from the design of the original Roman capitals. ## Importance - Lettering being the written language of industry is integral in communicating the complete description of the size, shape and function of the various components of the object under construction. - It records ideas and transmits the same from one culture and generation to another. - Since lettering can either make or break an otherwise carefully prepared drawing, it is therefore essential to every student to learn to letter properly if it is to function as an effective means of graphic communication. ## Styles of Letters 1. **Single-Stroke Gothic Letters/Gothic Letters** - Generally, the lettering used in engineering and technical drawing consists of single-strokes which are uniform in width. - It is the plainest and most legible of all the styles of letter and is comparatively easy to make. 2. **Roman Letters** - The Roman Letters are distinctively divided into two: the Old Roman and the Modern Roman. - The Old Roman which is the basis of all our letters and considered to be the most beautiful are still prepared to be used on buildings and for inscription on metals or stones while the letters used in most modern newspapers, magazines, books and maps especially in the names of countries and cities are of Modern Roman. - The text used in this book is set in Modern Roman Letters or simply Roman Letters. 3. **Italic Letters** - All inclined letters regardless of style used is classified as Italics Letters. - Because of its beauty and versatility, Italic is widely recognized as the most popular calligraphic hand. - It is used for designing book jackets, menus and greeting cards to addressing envelopes, lettering poems, invitations and announcements. 4. **Text Letters** - This letter style includes all styles of Old English, German Text, Bradley Text and other trade names. - Oftentimes used in diplomas and certificates, this style is too illegible to read and cumbersome to prepare for commercial purposes. ## General Division of Letters ### A. Usage 1. **Built-up Letters** - These are letters often used on big advertisements. - They are first outlined and then filled up for more emphasis. 2. **Single-Stroke Letters** - These are letters made one stroke of lettering pencils or pens. ### B. Proportion - To meet the design or space requirements, letters may be made normal, narrower or wider. 1. **Normal Letters** - These are letters drawn in its usual proportion and are neither too narrow nor too wide. - The narrowest and is the foundation stroke of all letters - W-the widest letter - TOMQVAXY-the second widest letters 2. **Compressed/Condensed Letters** - These letters are spaced closed together and are narrower in width in proportion to the height and are used when space is limited. 3. **Extended Letters** - These letters are drawn wider than the normal letters and are used when the space is wider. - note: It is not desirable to vary the size of the lettering according to the size of the drawing except when a drawing is to be reduced in reproduction. ### C. Thickness of the Stem 1. **Lightface** - Letters having very thin stems are called LIGHTFACE letters. 2. **Boldface** - Letters having very thick stems or heavy strokes are classified as BOLDFACE letters. ## Uniformity in Lettering - Uniformity in lettering is essential in any style of lettering. - Letters that are uniform in height, proportion, inclination, strength of lines and spacing insure a pleasing appearance. ## Stability - Letters appear top heavy when their upper and lower portions are drawn equal in width. - To correct this so as to produce the effect of stability and appear more pleasing to the reader, the upper portions of letters are reduced in size. ## Technique of Lettering - While it is true that practice makes perfect, it must be understood that practice alone is not enough. - It must be accompanied by continuous effort to improve. - Lettering as what normally regarded is not writing but freehand drawing Therefore freehand drawing's six fundamental strokes and their directions are basic to lettering. - The horizontal strokes are drawn to the right, and all vertical, inclined and curved strokes are drawn downward. ## Guide Lines in Lettering - Guide lines are absolutely essential for good lettering. - The better draftsman always uses guide lines and believes that good lettering can be acquired through the use of guide lines. - Guide lines are fine light lines that are used to regulate the height of letters and keep letters uniformly vertical or inclined. ## Spacing of Letters - Uniformity in spacing of letters is a matter of equalizing spaces by eye. - The background areas between letters and not the distances between them should be made approximately equal. ## Spacing of Words - space between words is equal to capital letter "o" capital letter "O"after comma and period - SPACE WORDS WELL APART, AND LETTERS CLOSELY. - space between words for lower-case letters is equal to capital letter "O". - Lower-case words also should be kept well apart. <start_of_image> Diagrams: - Figure 2.6 Classification of Letter Styles - Figure 2.7 Division of Letters According to Usage - Figure 2.8 Division of Letters According to Proportion - Figure 2.9 Division of Letters According to the Thickness of Stem - Figure 3.0 Uniformity in Lettering - Figure 3.1 Stability in Lettering - Figure 3.2 Basic Lettering Strokes - Figure 3.3 Position of Hand in Lettering - Figure 3.4 Guide Lines for Vertical Capital Letters - Figure 3.5 Guide Lines for Inclined Capital Letters - Figure 3.6 Guide Lines for Fractions - Figure 3.7 Guide Lines for Lower-case Letters - Figure 3.8 Spacing Between Letters - Figure 3.9 Spacing of Words - Figure 4.0 Vertical Capital Letters and Numerals - Figure 4.0 Upper-case (Capital) Letters It should be noted that the diagrams are not included in this document. This document only provides a text-based summary of the content of the image.