For different styles of titles, where cc.tain types of letters are used, the above rules will be modified; but for general work they should be followed.
Single-line letters are used almost entirely in lettering plans and drawings.
Spacing of Letters. As to the spacing, there is no set rule for standard dimensions; but a few rules may be given as a guide. Letters which have vertical and parallel sides coming together, are spaced the greatest distance apart. Take H and B, for example; these require the largest space. In case of a curve, as an 0 or a C, with an N or an H, the spacing will be about two thirds of that for the H and the N. This same rule will hold for the curve of a D with an N or M or any letter with a vertical line.
If two curves come together—as, for ex ample, a C and a G, or a B and a C—the space is slightly less than for N and 0.
If A and V come together, make the lower point of the A come directly under the upper point of the V; there should be no vertical space between these letters. A or V, with 0 or B, will have about the same spacing as two curves, such as B and C or C and 0.
While the above rules are only general, yet they will serve as a guide.
When marks of punctuation are used, the spacing will have to be increased over that of the regular arrangement. The spacing between words depends upon the style of letter used and the available space. Increasing the spacing will make the words more prominent.
In doing all letter work, it should first be penciled completely, before any inking is done. It is much easier to erase and make changes while the title is still in pencil than after it is inked. The ink will emphasize all irregularities.
The tendency of the beginner is to use too fine a pen. A new pen is always hard to work with, since it makes a thin hair line. Sometimes a new pen can be made to work more easily, by heating the point with a match. This will render it more flexible, although the pen will not last. so long. Be very careful to make the same thickness of line for all parts of the letters, and for all letters of the title. It will require practice to be able to use the pen satisfactorily.
The inks can be any of the ready-mixed India inks. These are very satisfactory, and are much more convenient than grinding the ink from an India ink stick. Since the prepared
inks evaporate and therefore thicken when ex posed to the air, the cork of the bottle should always be at once replaced after filling the pen. Some grades of black writing ink may be used, although the India ink is much more satisfactory.
Almost all of the drawing papers will take ink. Tracing paper and tracing cloth are used a great deal. Bristol board is used where letter ing is employed, as for an inscription, or where it is not a part of a drawing.
In lettering, first rule the guid -lines in pencil; then pencil the letters, and then ink. There is no rule for holding the pen; be sure to learn to have a free and easy stroke. By practice, learn to have a uniform line; and have confidence in your ability before you start. Usually the beginner is a little backward when starting the lettering on a sheet. By practicing vertical lines, inclined lines, and curves, one gradually learns the use of the pen. It should be noted that the strokes are all downward; and a curve, as for 0, is made up of a series of strokes. There will be difficulty in getting straight lines and curves of the same size.
In penciling, always use a soft pencil, one free from grit. Make the lines as light as pos sible, so that they can be erased with as little pressure as possible. Keep the paper as free from erased lines as possible, as the erasing tends to destroy the general surface of the paper, and makes it much more difficult to ink properly upon it. Should a mistake be made, after the ink has become thoroughly dry, use an ordinary pencil eraser, and rub gently iu all directions. Stop at short intervals to allow the eraser to cool, as it will smear the ink if it becomes too hot from rubbing. After the eras ing, take some smooth, hard surface—be sure it is clean—and rub gently over the erased surface to give a smooth finish to the paper. Some think that a regular ink eraser is necessary to remove the ink; but the pencil eraser will do the work better and leave the surface of the paper in much better condition. The work of erasing will be slow and tedious, but it should be care fully done.