First practice the letters that contain the straight strokes, E-F-H-I-L-V and W. Keep practicing these capitals until they become easy. Then take up the remainder. For the capitals—draw your cross guide lines about two and one-half or three inches apart. Regulate your lower case letters accordingly.
Learn to twirl the brush between the thumb and second finger, using the first or index finger as a sort of guide to keep the brush in place.
Roughen up the polished ferrule of the brush with sand-paper, or a file. Some showcard writers wrap adhesive tape about the ferrule, others wind that part of the brush with small rubber bands. All these “tricks” enable you to hold the brush more firmly and make the “turns” much easier.
Making the curves is a combined arm, wrist and finger movement and the student must bear in mind at all times that the hand must drag the brush. Do not try to push the brush. KEEP THE HAND AHEAD OF THE BRISTLES, and keep the chisel edge of the brush always at right angles with the width of stroke.
Also endeavor to keep the brush somewhat more perpendicular than with the Roman lettering. Many showcard writers hold the brush so that the handle is exactly erect or horizontal and a trifle forward of the third joint of the index finger.
Keep the head well over the work, almost directly over the work, and you will find the lettering can be done easier.
BRUSH “EGYPTIAN”
Plates used by permission of Ely & Walker Dry Goods Co., St. Louis.