Sign writing/painting

[jimbo84]

Always had a fascination in traditional hand painted signs since seeing sign writers painting lorries and curtain sided trailers.

Treated myself to some craft master paints and some sign writer's brushes, the mrs bought me a Joby Carter book as a gift and have been trying my hand at some signs.

I'm not good at painting and am certainly not naturally gifted when it comes to arty stuff so have been finding it very difficult and as can be seen from the results there is room for much improvement.

I know there are some talented people in this forum so do any of you dabble in sign writing and if so post up your efforts, tips and tricks etc.

A few of mine, layout done on the computer then printed off and charcoal transferred then painted.

First ever attempt


Knocked up a small sign for some plants my toddler had planted


A random one


First attempt from scratch, scaling up and laying out as per the Joby book. Didn't quite get the layout right and the letter S is a struggle to layout. The rubbed out Y was from a previous attempt, the second attempt was much simplified.


The above painted


The book I've been using with my DIY made mahl stick.

 

[500e]

As you could not read my normal writing, that's ACE ++

 

[Mick Annick]

I’ve done a little bit inspired by @brewdexta, though none of late.

 

[Hitch]

Something I've been trying my hand at too.

 

[Pond frog]

I bet you could learn a lot if you you did one of Joby Carters classes, I’ve watched some of his stuff on YouTube, seems like a sound bloke

 

[frank horton]

it's a black art.....
had my narrow boat done years ago......a little old lady did it....4ft nothing....amazing skills, all free hand.....writing, castles etc.....
She also did a tiny copper milk churn thing, all painted up with my wifes fav flowers.....kept her ashes in it untill I was ready to let go....still hurts 30 years on....

 

[hazzabo]

I bet you could learn a lot if you you did one of Joby Carters classes, I’ve watched some of his stuff on YouTube, seems like a sound bloke

I would second this. They are very popular. I went to school with the Carters - incredibly talented and artistic family. Always been a massive fan of their steam fair.

 

[jimbo84]

I bet you could learn a lot if you you did one of Joby Carters classes, I’ve watched some of his stuff on YouTube, seems like a sound bloke

The courses do look good and seem very popular, with the accommodation, travel and time they're a bit too much of an indulgence though.

 

[jimbo84]

it's a black art.....
had my narrow boat done years ago......a little old lady did it....4ft nothing....amazing skills, all free hand.....writing, castles etc.....
She also did a tiny copper milk churn thing, all painted up with my wifes fav flowers.....kept her ashes in it untill I was ready to let go....still hurts 30 years on....

There are some very talented people that do it with minimal/no layout, it's fascinating to watch.

 

[Bobupndown]

A dying art.
Printed graphics have all but done away with conventional sign writing. It is lovely to see it done and the results are fantastic.

 

[Pond frog]

A dying art.
Printed graphics have all but done away with conventional sign writing. It is lovely to see it done and the results are fantastic.

It’s understandable why most people use printed graphics but there is something special about real hand done sign writing, you really can’t fake it .