diff --git a/README.markdown b/README.markdown
index e834a6f..4498d05 100644
--- a/README.markdown
+++ b/README.markdown
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ does have a nice color scheme, however.
 
 The _pencil_ color scheme features: 
 
-* Accurate colors
 * Subtle indicators of changes in the gutter for Signify, git-gutter, etc.
 * Use for both code and prose, though it’s definitely geared towards the
   latter
@@ -31,6 +30,19 @@ Or simply copy the color scheme file to your `~/.vim/colors` directory.
 
 ## Configuration
 
+### Contrast
+
+If you’re looking for greater contrast, set the following in your
+`.vimrc`:
+
+```
+let g:pencil_higher_contrast_ui = 0   " 0=low (def), 1=high
+```
+
+It currently only affects the blacks and grays.
+
+### Parentheses matching
+
 Those users who find the parentheses matching disconcerting can disable
 this default Vim plugin in their `.vimrc` with:
 
diff --git a/colors/pencil.vim b/colors/pencil.vim
index e73fc65..ea8d876 100644
--- a/colors/pencil.vim
+++ b/colors/pencil.vim
@@ -58,7 +58,8 @@ else
 endif
 
 let s:pink            = { "gui": "#fb007a", "cterm": "9"   }
-let s:red             = { "gui": "#C30771", "cterm": "1"   }
+let s:dark_red        = { "gui": "#C30771", "cterm": "1"   }
+let s:light_red       = { "gui": "#E32791", "cterm": "1"   }
 let s:orange          = { "gui": "#D75F5F", "cterm": "167" }
 
 let s:darker_blue     = { "gui": "#005F87", "cterm": "18"  }
@@ -86,6 +87,7 @@ if &background == "dark"
   let s:purple          = s:light_purple
   let s:cyan            = s:light_cyan
   let s:green           = s:light_green
+  let s:red             = s:light_red
   let s:visual          = s:light_black
 else
   let s:bg              = s:white
@@ -96,6 +98,7 @@ else
   let s:purple          = s:dark_purple
   let s:cyan            = s:dark_cyan
   let s:green           = s:dark_green
+  let s:red             = s:dark_red
   let s:visual          = s:light_blue
 endif
 
@@ -190,10 +193,10 @@ call s:h("DiffText",      {"fg": s:dark_blue})
 call s:h("SignColumn",    {"fg": s:light_green})
 " hi Conceal
 if has("gui_running")
-  call s:h("SpellBad",    {"gui": "undercurl", "sp": s:red})
-  call s:h("SpellCap",    {"gui": "undercurl", "sp": s:light_green})
-  call s:h("SpellRare",   {"gui": "undercurl", "sp": s:pink})
-  call s:h("SpellLocal",  {"gui": "undercurl", "sp": s:dark_green})
+  call s:h("SpellBad",    {"gui": "underline", "sp": s:red})
+  call s:h("SpellCap",    {"gui": "underline", "sp": s:light_green})
+  call s:h("SpellRare",   {"gui": "underline", "sp": s:pink})
+  call s:h("SpellLocal",  {"gui": "underline", "sp": s:dark_green})
 else
   call s:h("SpellBad",    {"cterm": "underline", "fg": s:red})
   call s:h("SpellCap",    {"cterm": "underline", "fg": s:light_green})