The student should be familiar with the layout suggestions shown beneath the alphabet in lesson No. 1 even to the extent of laying out the same outlines and copying them on sheets of paper about 9×12 inches.
Lesson No. 2 should be copied by the use of a No. 3 round speedball pen. Follow the dotted lines on the chart very carefully and observe the details—especially the “spurs” which are the little finishing touches or cross lines—these being purposely omitted in the first alphabet.
When the student has carefully lettered in one or two of these charts the same alphabet should be copied on a plain piece of paper or cardboard, forming the letters as nearly perfect as possible.
Use a pencil for the “ruling in” on practice paper other than the charts.
Page 7 also shows the condensed and extended variations of the alphabet. Keep these forms in mind. Condensed lettering is often necessary on narrow cards, and the extended is often used on very wide or “landscape” sizes.
With this lesson thoroughly mastered—the student is advised to practice the layout work. The first drawing suggests the “copy” for a showcard as it is often handed to the card writer.
There is a rule in card writing which demands the elimination of useless or unnecessary words. Thus the student scratches out the words “this is.” These words can be eliminated without changing the sense of the card. Next, take a piece of enameled cardboard, or enameled paper, and make a penciled layout as shown.
Keep the balance of display toward the top center. Note that the three lines are “gathered” in a group—not scattered all over the card.
With the penciled layout ready—take up a No. 3 pen and letter in the first line—then use a No. 2 pen for making the next two lines. Use the smallest pen for forming a rather wavering or “rugged” border about one inch inside the margin of the card. Note the reproduced finished card shown.
This layout should be practiced until it resembles the original. Then the student should attempt the next card known as the two-price layout, and then follow with the special arrangement.