Use a trowel to apply the mortar to the footing, and try to stay inside the reference lines as much as possible. However, it's OK if you go outside of the lines a little bit—you can always scrape the mortar off later before it dries. Don't apply any mortar to the center of the footing, which is outside of the outline you drew. You only want to apply mortar where you'll be laying bricks. The center of the footing is where the inside of your column will be, which will be hollow. Take the same bricks you used to dry-lay and mark the footing and set them on the mortar in the same pattern you did before. Before you lay each brick, spread a 3⁄8 inch (0.95 cm) layer of mortar on the end that will be joined with the next brick in the pattern. When you're finished, all of the bricks should be connected with mortar and evenly spaced apart.  You want to make sure that you're applying an even layer of mortar to each brick so that your column has a uniform, balanced appearance when it's finished. Make a weep hole in the base layer of bricks by coating a pencil with vegetable oil and inserting it into one of the bottom mortar joints. Pull the pencil out once the mortar is dry. This helps drain any moisture that may accumulate inside your column. First, spread a 3⁄8 inch (0.95 cm) layer of mortar on top of the first course of bricks using the trowel. Then, take the same number of bricks as you used for the first course and place them on the mortar in the same pattern, just rotated 180 degrees. This will give your brick column the alternating pattern that is typically used in brick structures. For example, if you're staring down at your first course of bricks and there are 2 horizontal bricks on top, 1 vertical brick on each side, and 1 horizontal brick on the bottom, you would lay the second course of bricks so there are 2 horizontal bricks on the bottom, 1 vertical brick on each side, and 1 horizontal brick on top. The number of courses you add depends on how tall you want your brick column to be. Just remember to always rotate the pattern 180 degrees after each course of bricks you lay. Make sure you maintain a consistent thickness with the mortar you apply between courses and bricks. If the bricks aren't level, you want to catch it early on so you don't compound the issue and realize your column is off once the mortar is already dry. To check if the column is level, hold a level against each side, including the top. If something isn't level, tap or push the bricks into the right position with the butt end of your trowel and then check them with the level again.  Run strings in each corner of your column from the bottom to the top and make sure they're straight with a level. This way you can make sure your bricks are straight and level as you build them up. Don't add another course until you're certain all of the existing bricks are level. Wire mesh will add extra support that can help your brick column withstand heavier loads. To add the mesh, cut a strip that's as long and wide as the column. Then, apply a thin layer of mortar over the top course of bricks and lay the mesh over it. Finally, apply another thin layer of mortar over the top of the mesh before adding the next course. You can find wire mesh online or at your local hardware store. When you finish laying every fifth course, test all of the mortar joints on the column by pressing your finger into them. If any of the joints resist minimal pressure, they're hard enough to be smoothed out. Just take a jointing tool and go over those joints with it to scrape off the excess mortar. When you're finished, the joints should appear flush with the bricks.  Make sure you do this after every fifth course. Otherwise, some of the joints could harden too much, and you might not be able to smooth them out. Use a masonry brush to clean your bricks as you build up so they look neater.
Spread a 3⁄8 inch (0.95 cm) layer of mortar inside the lines on the footing. Lay the first course of bricks on top of the mortar. Repeat with the second course of bricks, but rotate the pattern 180 degrees. Continue adding courses and rotating the brick pattern after each course. Check the column with a level after every other course. Add a strip of 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) thick wire mesh after every fourth course. Smooth out any hardened mortar joints after every fifth course.