If you can, go and ask an old-school signwriter. They will either have the technique, or have a book that explains it. There is a website about this sort of fancy american signwriting, but I can;t remember the name.

thanks Kris, there's not alot of old school sign writers around in this area, it's all vinyl, but I've found this website which has got some good instructions http://www.goldreverre.com/technique/ -this should get me started...

Itemone