So how do you learn to letter by hand?

[Billct2]

Yep, that's what I meant. Although I got(and sometimes still get) satisfaction from the
brushed letter it was the sign project itself, not just the lettering that was the most satisfying. There are those who are devoted to the craft of handlettering/calligraphy and they are a different breed, always were. Even back then there were a lot of competant letterers who looked at is a trade not a calling. But there was something gained by learning "the hard way"- a solid understanding of the elements of sign design and legibility. When errors meant completely redoing hours or days of work the lessons stuck.

 

[Arlo Kalon 2.0]

But there was something gained by learning "the hard way"- a solid understanding of the elements of sign design and legibility. When errors meant completely redoing hours or days of work the lessons stuck.

I nearly spit out a mouthful of coffee reading this. I have more memories of these type fiascos than I care to recall... although they are entirely humorous to me now. I had an enormous case of hero worship going on for the master painters I was exposed to and an intense desire to prove myself to them (to please them actually). I remember being turned loose on a rather wordy 4x8 layout, spending a couple of hours getting it to the point of having a brush in hand ready to go at it. Only to be stopped, told to clean the layout off, and have a seasoned veteran do a layout in ten minutes that was a vastly superior improvement over mine - then being allowed to paint that layout. Yep - those were the lessons that stuck. I've thanked God often I was able to set my ego aside during those times and be molded by those guys. I've had a good profitable life because of it. I only wish I could give one other person that same experience.

 

[sjm]

I nearly spit out a mouthful of coffee reading this. I have more memories of these type fiascos than I care to recall... although they are entirely humorous to me now. I had an enormous case of hero worship going on for the master painters I was exposed to and an intense desire to prove myself to them (to please them actually). I remember being turned loose on a rather wordy 4x8 layout, spending a couple of hours getting it to the point of having a brush in hand ready to go at it. Only to be stopped, told to clean the layout off, and have a seasoned veteran do a layout in ten minutes that was a vastly superior improvement over mine - then being allowed to paint that layout. Yep - those were the lessons that stuck. I've thanked God often I was able to set my ego aside during those times and be molded by those guys. I've had a good profitable life because of it. I only wish I could give one other person that same experience.

Dude you are talking old school. The brush has been replaced by technology and you either embraced it or you didn't.

The same can be said in the future for those wanting to teach others to get the most out of computers.

I think that's called progress.

 

[sardocs]

Pat - If you already have the brushes, the paint, the materials, etc, I would suggest you get started by painting dropshadows and highlights on coro and mdo signs you have going in your shop. It doesn't take long to learn to control a brush once you get used to not gripping it too tightly. Use shadow colours that are only a slightly darker version of the background you are working on. Highlight with slightly brighter colours. It doesn't take that long to get a whole lot faster with the brush than the computer for these common embellishments, and an otherwise bland bit of signwork just comes alive with a few easy brush strokes. It's a real confidence builder.

 

[SignosaurusRex]

I admire your intention to learn how to hand-letter. My suggestion Pat would be to spend some quality time with a with a Signwriter that can teach you. Take some road trips if you have to....take OP up on his offer. I suggest that you also get a hold of two books which I consider a must for anyone learning to hand-letter, especially if learning on their own. They are "Sign Painting Course" by E.C. Matthews, and "Atkinson Sign Painting" by Frank Atkinson. Out of all of the books in my library on the subject, I consider those two the most educational and helpful. Opinions vary on the use of a Mahl Stick and employing it in your education from the start. My opinion is ....get one and use it. Practice with and without it. It will become an extension of yourself and become very natural to use as well. You will find that it is a fabulous aid in making longer, smoother, consistent strokes. IMHO, The single most important thing you need to learn first, which will take a little time and practice, is how to properly hold and control your brushes for optimum performance. That will have an enormous effect on the quality of the strokes, letter form and the ease (or difficulty) in executing a nice letter. Nothing takes the place of persistence and determination, so practice, practice, practice. Don't quit! You will get frustrated....don't quit! Be patient with yourself but be persistent...Don't quit!

 

[Arlo Kalon 2.0]

Dude you are talking old school. The brush has been replaced by technology and you either embraced it or you didn't.

The same can be said in the future for those wanting to teach others to get the most out of computers.

I think that's called progress.

Dude... did you READ this thread from start to finish? In case you missed it or it went over your head, it's about learning to hand letter. Though I have no need to defend myself to you, I will let you know I bought the third Signmaker computer sold in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. A brush will never be entirely replaced - it's called sign art, something technology will never replace. Learn to get the gist of a thread please before making a fool of yourself.

 

[sjm]

Dude... did you READ this thread from start to finish? In case you missed it or it went over your head, it's about learning to hand letter. Though I have no need to defend myself to you, I will let you know I bought the third Signmaker computer sold in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. A brush will never be entirely replaced - it's called sign art, something technology will never replace. Learn to get the gist of a thread please before making a fool of yourself.

Educate us Rembrandt?

I've got lettering brushes.
I've got lettering paint.
I've got paint materials.

Now I just need some basic instructions. Any books, videos, or websites you can suggest?

What do you offer that can't be done digitally?

 

[SignManiac]

sjm you need to STFU...The majority of your replies are always negative. You sound like many of the KIAYP's that PMO. You don't hand letter? Then you have nothing to really offer to this thread then.

 

[Gino]

Dude... did you READ this thread from start to finish? In case you missed it or it went over your head, it's about learning to hand letter. Though I have no need to defend myself to you, I will let you know I bought the third Signmaker computer sold in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. A brush will never be entirely replaced - it's called sign art, something technology will never replace. Learn to get the gist of a thread please before making a fool of yourself.

tell'em Arlo.

Nothing wrong with 'progress' smj, but you do…. or should…. need to know from where everything started. It really helps. I think it's called knowing the basics. No matter what trade you do.... if it entails using your hands, feet or hitting a ball with a stick.... you still should know why certain things come together or why not. Is it better to hit a little white ball around a few square miles of grass and traps…. or go to an arcade and do it on a screen ?? There’s your progress…. everything is simulated and overrun with sensory overload, so the brain doesn’t have time to distinguish good from bad.

Anyway, the real problem is... all the real pattern makers are dying off….. the people that know how to do things from scratch. You can't tell me that ANY 'store bought' box cake is gonna turn out near as good as a cake baked from scratch..... unless you have poor taste. The mentors, the great artists and layout designers are dropping off and not too many people are filling their ranks. We have a new wave of people coming up that don't think it's at all important to know your roots. People are engrossed in family trees and their ancestry, but not in their profession. Can you explain the need to go back in some areas and not others ??

There’s a reason that so many talented people are in this industry. They have raw talent and desire. That’s what keeps most peoples’ burning desire to make real progress within themselves. Yep, always challenging themselves to move on and never get lazy and take the easy road. A software program, if used correctly, is only a tool, just like the brush, piece of charcoal or neon tubing….. they are your tools of the trade. Anyone can use a computer and generate plenty of ugly looking perfectly made signs. Anyone can pick a font or a geometric shape and call it artwork or a logo, but is it really ?? Do they know if or when they accomplished anything ?? Heck no and this site is 100% proof of that. How many logos, layouts methods of putting things together, business decisions and as simple as pulling permits are people questioning 100’s of times a week ?? That just proves that no one knows what they’re doing and want to sidestep proper procedure… all because your ’progress’ has made it possible for so many.

So, I’d think before I’d blurt something out such as you did.
​

 

[Pat Whatley]

What do you offer that can't be done digitally?

Hey, asshole, pay attention: I WANT TO LEARN TO HANDLETTER. There, is that too hard to understand? You need me to translate that into Canadian for you? "I WANT TO LEARN TO HANDLETTER, EH?"

I never said anything about making a living at it, I never said anything about even offering the service to my customers.

I learned how to sail when a motorized boat would be faster. I learned how to add even though there are calculators around.

Based on your reaction am I to assume you're still using internet porn to replace actual women?

 

[SignManiac]

ROFLMAO!!! Great analogy Pat.

 

[bob]

...
What do you offer that can't be done digitally?

Elegance. Understanding. Nuance.

If you can't hand letter and have never set type, you're operating under a handicap that is close to impossible to overcome.

 

[artsnletters]

Educate us Rembrandt?



What do you offer that can't be done digitally?

Like Harley-Davidson says: "If I Have to Explain it You wouldn't Understand"

Sure , You can reproduce a sign with your printer & plotter, There just are things that don't translate: Gold Leaf surface gilding & Hand outlining....Race Car Lettering (ala Vintage Fuel Funny Cars & Dragsters for an example)...Show Cards....Window Jobs...HAND MADE SIGNS like SignManiac's example.
The average doofus with a plotter and computer can't do things that match what can come out of an old masters BRUSH. The art and value of hand lettering is lost on knuckleheads like you. Good examples of "old school" hand lettering & pinstriping are revered as ART. What do you have to offer digitally that will stand that test of time to be called art?
Tim

 

[SignManiac]

Educate us Rembrandt?



What do you offer that can't be done digitally?

I've painted more than a million dollars worth of signs over my career "without electricity". So digital does have some limitations.

 

[sardocs]

A small amount of brush skills can elevate your basic work to a level that vinyl only competitors can't achieve. A basic coro sign for a realtor comes to life when you paint on a shadow effect by hand. I rarely handletter a complete sign anymore, but in minutes I can put a shade or outline around "FOR SALE", and get more money for me and more attention for my client. And it costs as close to nothing as it gets to put it on there. If you put a shadow on a line of copy with a computer, it looks like you did it with a computer. Get paid to practice handlettering by starting with simple things like shades, outlines, scrolls, etc. on signs in your shop. After you get used to how paint in a quill feels, start lettering casual styles on secondary copy. Memorize Dom, or develop your own casual style that you can apply with a minimum of layout lines. I used to get by in the 70's and early 80's with my own version of Futura bold, a nice casual style, and an awkward lookin' commercial script.

 

[Baz]

You need me to translate that into Canadian for you? "I WANT TO LEARN TO HANDLETTER, EH?"

Now i understand!!

Y'all are a hoot!:ROFLMAO:

 

[Craig Sjoquist]

SJM yes hand cutting vinyl is a norm also for the screen print industry, here is a few of my hand cut translucent back lighted signs

 

[Craig Sjoquist]

SJM ..also you ask what can the skills of hand lettering do that digital can not. ??
normaly faster doing one sign then with a computer, also when doing the main word it is easier to add effects from outlines, shades, fades, bevels, convex is more real looking then digital also, cost alot less to do and which is also true when doing pictures a much better look and feel in most cases.
Many times you do a digital picture then have it re-touched up by hand then re- printed to get a better image feel and look.
The list of advantages is huge which are hard to explain but easier to show

 

[OldPaint]

SJM...you from onterio eh?? i got a good freind up their in KEY-BEC you should go visit.............THEN YOU MIGHT UNDERSTAND HAND LETTERING. this is mostly what he does. and i know him well enough, he would be glad to show you how to........not that you can grasp the idea, but exposing you to it, might knock loose something!!!hahahahahahaha
look here:
http://www.pierretardif.com/

 

[Arlo Kalon 2.0]

Educate us Rembrandt?



What do you offer that can't be done digitally?

Wow... I've been gone a few hours with every intent of coming back and schooling you sj, but i see numerous of my friends have done an adequate job. I still doubt you'll ever get it though from that fog of negativity you operate within. What hand lettering has in spades over digital is the satisfaction of having produced something with hand to eye coordination that has an innate appeal to fellow human beings. And like bob says "elegance/nuance". Still, I'm sure these are concepts that are beyond your limited grasp.