Preparatory to practice on drill 10, test the movement by moving the pen in the air in the direction of the first stroke. Start the motion below the base line, and as the pen moves rapidly upward let it strike the paper at the beginning point. Drive the pen through the exercise rapidly and lightly. Do not make less than three connected m's before lifting the pen, and make more as soon as you have ability to make them well. You will make the letters too large, irregular and awkward at first, and you will have trouble with the union (connecting lines), but never mind, keep right on. All is well that ends well, and you will succeed if you persevere. Not less than twenty completed exercises, or sixty small m's should be made to the minute. Bear in mind that an under stroke follows each m, the m proper being made with an over stroke. Count 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
For small m a count of three is used, and in the n a count of two; thus the count for drill 11 will be 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, etc. Or for four connected letters, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Relatively the speed should be the same as in the small m drill.
Here is our first word drill. Take care of the movement and the letters will take care of themselves. Do not neglect the study of the motion and its application to the form to be made. Write the word Annum at the rate of sixteen or more words to a minute.
Write the word Common at the rate of about eighteen to the minute.
It is expected that these word drills will be treated as movement exercises, and that the repetition of each word until a page or more has been written will not only bring about a marked improvement in the appearance of the writing but will also improve muscular action. Do not neglect to give attention to the muscles of the arm.
Drill 15 may be used in developing small l and corresponding loops of small b, h, k, and f, as well as small e. The object of the oval as a preparatory drill is twofold: First, to force the hand to move lightly and quickly, and second, to lead the motion in the direction of the letter itself. This is a good drill to practice often. Capital M is a letter that affords splendid opportunity for the development of movement, and drill 16 leads up to it. For this drill count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and make twenty-five of the complete drills to the minute. Compare your work with the copy.
Study the capital M closely before trying to make it. Compare the parts in their relation as regards height, slant and width. Make about forty letters to the minute, and count 1, 2, 3, 4 for each letter.
In the capital M a count of four is used. There is one count less in the capital N. In practice work from fifty to sixty of these letters should be made to the minute. No special effort should be made to form a loop at the junction of the first and last parts of capital N. Let that part of the letter take care of itself, but in size and general proportions the copy given should be closely imitated. Remember that, with a slow, dragging or cramped movement, nothing of lasting value can be accomplished in penmanship development. It would be well for the learner to practice on easy words at this stage of the work, following the plan of drills 12, 13 and 14. It may be well to connect the last part of each capital with the small letter following as soon as uniform movement can be applied to the capitals as given in drills 17 and 18. Drills 19-28 |
