Plates used by permission of Ely & Walker Dry Goods Co., St. Louis.
INSTRUCTIONS—LESSON NO. 4
Single Stroke Brush “Roman”—See Next Page
The student is now ready for practice work without the aid of charts, except for the model shown on adjoining page.
Use either a No. 10 or No. 12 “Rigger” showcard brush.
Rule the practice paper so that the total height of the letter “l” will be about 2¼ or 2½ inches. This will leave a space of about 1½ inches for the ovals. Any size letters, however, may be made providing of course the brushes will accommodate them. Be very careful in choosing brushes, and get good brushes. Professional card writers prefer the best red sable obtainable, and with reasonable care, a good brush will last a lifetime. Also be sure of the sizes. Brush numbers are confusing, and there is a series of sizes larger than the “Rigger,” with duplicate numbers. The term “rigger” means the short handled brush, and this style brush also has somewhat shorter bristles than the larger models. The price of the “rigger” is also considerably less than that of the larger brushes. If there is difficulty in securing brushes, write to the Educational Department of the Associated Advertising Clubs of the World, as suggested on page “Materials for Beginners,” and you will be properly supplied at reasonable cost.
The student must also use regular showcard color for ink. Don’t use pen ink for brushes. It will not work, and is too expensive. Procure some regulation showcard colors in the 2-oz. bottles costing about 25c. Professionals use the term showcard “colors” to designate the brush water colors from the inks used for pens.
With the brush and ink ready—secure a small piece of cardboard for use as a palette or mixing board, and by dipping the brush into the showcard color several times, there will be sufficient quantity on the palette to proceed. Have a small cup of water handy, and into this dip the brush for moisture. Pour very little water into the show color itself—moisten and work up the color on the palette.
In doing the “mixing” also endeavor at the same time to work the bristles of the brush into a sharp “chisel” or flat edge. This is necessary to do good work.