Having everything in readiness, the student may begin his practice on
movement exercises, the object of which is to obtain control of the
pen and train the muscles. Circular motion, as in the capital O,
reversed as in the capital W, vertical movement as in f, long s and
capital J, and the lateral motion as in small letters, must each be
practiced in order to be able to move the pen in any direction, up,
down, or sidewise.
The simplest exercise in movement. Try to follow around in the same
line as nearly as possible. Do not shade.
[Illustration: O O 8]
The same exercise, only with ovals drawn out and and slight shade
added to each down stroke.
[Illustration: (coils)]
Sides of ovals should be even, forming as nearly a straight line as
possible. Reverse the movement as in third form.
[Illustration: (coils)]
The following three exercises embrace the essential elements in capital
letters, and should at first be made large for purposes of movement:
Capital O, down strokes parallel.
[Illustration: O Q O Q O O Q O Q O]
Capital stem. Down stroke a compound curve. Shade low. Finish with a
dash.
[Illustration: d d d d d d d d d]
Capital loop. Curves parallel. First curve highest.
[Illustration: O O O O (double overlapping loops)]
Having succeeded to some extent with these exercises, the learner may
next undertake the vertical movement. In order to obtain the lateral
movement, which enables one to write long words without lifting the
pen, and move easily and gracefully across the page, exercises like
the following should be practiced:
Down strokes straight. Even and resting on line.
[Illustration: uuuuuuuuuuu]
In all movement exercises the third and fourth fingers should slide
on the paper, and the finger movement should be carefully avoided. The
different movements having been practiced, they may now be combined in
various forms.
[Illustration: u u u u u n n n n n]
Lateral and rolling movement combined. Vertical movement and rolling
movement combined.
[Illustration: t t t]
Do not shade the circles. Lines should be parallel.
Movement exercises may be multiplied almost indefinitely by studying
the forms used in writing and their combinations. Repeating many of
the small letters, such as m, u, e, r, s, a, d, h and c, also capitals
D, J, P, etc., forms an excellent exercise for the learner.