Welcome to The Hand Lettering Forum!
This is an interactive Bulletin Board on the topics of Sign making, design, fabrication, History, old Books and of coarse Letterheads, Keepers of the craft. The Hand Lettering Forum features links to resources, sign art history, techniques, and artists profiles. Learn more about Letterheads at https://theletterheads.com. Below you'll see Mchat has been added as a live communication portal for trial, and the Main forum Links are listed below.

Search found 58 matches

by Russ McMullin
Fri Dec 02, 2011 8:02 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: FYI, Computer Art Node Reduction...
Replies: 11
Views: 6945

Re: FYI, Computer Art Node Reduction...

My old boss liked to use CorelDraw, and I would see him run into the "way too many nodes" problem. I was always using Illustrator and never had the same trouble. Just an observation. Actually, Vector Magic is an amazing tool. Illustrator's Live Trace tool isn't even close in my opinion. Ma...
by Russ McMullin
Thu Dec 01, 2011 9:15 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: FYI, Computer Art Node Reduction...
Replies: 11
Views: 6945

Re: FYI, Computer Art Node Reduction...

Vector Magic is cool, but it's for sissies.
by Russ McMullin
Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:32 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Original Dead Men
Replies: 686
Views: 2083515

Re: Original Dead Men

Sometimes I get the urge to scratch. Sometimes I get the urge to...vector. I saw your wish list and prepared to do a little vectorin' of my own. This one has a total of six designs - the three that I already posted, and three more. One of these days I hope to make it back to the town of Machine and ...
by Russ McMullin
Tue Nov 15, 2011 9:16 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Original Dead Men
Replies: 686
Views: 2083515

Re: Original Dead Men

Bill, I saved the files again as lower versions of PDF. I also included Illustrator files saved down to version 10. Hopefully you can open them now.

Russ
by Russ McMullin
Tue Nov 15, 2011 8:06 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Original Dead Men
Replies: 686
Views: 2083515

Re: Original Dead Men

Someone may have already vectored these, but if not... http://www.mcmullincreative.com/hats-trace.pdf http://www.mcmullincreative.com/silks-trace.pdf http://www.mcmullincreative.com/furs-trace.pdf http://www.mcmullincreative.com/hats-trace.ai http://www.mcmullincreative.com/silks-trace.ai http://www...
by Russ McMullin
Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:33 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Font Creating Software
Replies: 3
Views: 3440

Re: Font Creating Software

I have Fontlab Studio and I really like it. If you go that direction, get the book, "Learn Fontlab Fast" by Leslie Cabarga. It can really help with the learning curve.

Fontographer has been recently updated so I'm sure it's very capable too.
by Russ McMullin
Thu Mar 03, 2011 7:59 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Peace Gold Leaf Workshop
Replies: 22
Views: 14733

Re: Peace Gold Leaf Workshop

That is spectacular. Superb.
by Russ McMullin
Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:15 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: *NEEDING TO MAKE A BIG ORDER*
Replies: 13
Views: 8723

Re: *NEEDING TO MAKE A BIG ORDER*

Ebay would be a good place to look for Bon Ami
by Russ McMullin
Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:08 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Original Dead Men
Replies: 686
Views: 2083515

Re: Original Dead Men

William Blake is a legend now
He's a good friend of mine

I prepared your gift with a padded envelope.
It's time for you to visit the post office, William Blake.
by Russ McMullin
Tue Aug 17, 2010 5:08 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Original Dead Men
Replies: 686
Views: 2083515

Re: Original Dead Men...

It's an 8x10 scratchboard. I use a #11 exacto blade to make the scratches. Look at the edge on that knife. That is a very, very sharp knife, that is.
by Russ McMullin
Tue Aug 17, 2010 4:41 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Original Dead Men
Replies: 686
Views: 2083515

Re: Original Dead Men...

William Blake, I thought you might like this. I couldn't go to Machine, but it was on my mind.
by Russ McMullin
Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:54 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: New Gilders Tip for Laying Full leaves
Replies: 45
Views: 38288

I still haven't had a chance to go through my pictures. I might have some shots of the new gilders tip in use.

Once I got mine charged properly it worked like a champ. I was even using it to lay half and quarter leaves. It keeps the leaf nice and parallel to the glass.
by Russ McMullin
Sat Jun 23, 2007 11:02 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Subject; Etching tempered glass...
Replies: 20
Views: 13355

I think the cordial approach would be to answer the question first, and then suggest a search in the archives for more information. Shouting that someone is a NEW member and should SEARCH first is not my idea of a pleasant welcome. That was rude. It's Mike's forum and he can do what he wants with it...
by Russ McMullin
Sun Apr 15, 2007 11:13 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: CNC vs Hand Carving
Replies: 5
Views: 4024

There is really no comparison. It turned out beautiful.
by Russ McMullin
Sun Apr 15, 2007 9:22 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Jack Daniels font critique
Replies: 3
Views: 3244

Fontographer is one of several font creation tools. I've actually owned it for many years, but only recently dusted it off to create some fonts.
by Russ McMullin
Sat Apr 14, 2007 3:10 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Jack Daniels font critique
Replies: 3
Views: 3244

Jack Daniels font critique

Some of you may have already seen my post on Letterville regarding this topic. Someone was looking for a font based on the Jack Daniel's logo, and they weren't able to find one. I wasn't able to find one either, so I took it as a challenge to make my own. Here is what I have so far: http://www.russp...
by Russ McMullin
Sat Apr 14, 2007 3:01 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Mental Health Day in Machine...
Replies: 12
Views: 7418

I wish I could be there too. It looks like a great time.
by Russ McMullin
Tue Feb 13, 2007 3:26 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Conclave '07
Replies: 14
Views: 8867

It really was a great weekend. The quality of the people, as well as the work they produce is top notch. Thanks John for hosting it, and for letting me be a part of it.

I've got my photos online for anyone interested in taking a look:

http://www.russpix.com/conclave07
by Russ McMullin
Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:52 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Boise workshop was good
Replies: 9
Views: 5942

Boise workshop was good

Noel Weber and John Studden did a great job with the Boise workshop. Each participant did 4 project pieces, and each project used different techniques. I was amazed how much we accomplished in 3 days. Only finishing touches are needed on three of my pieces. The fourth project will require more effor...
by Russ McMullin
Wed Aug 16, 2006 10:12 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: metal gilding boxes
Replies: 3
Views: 3430

John, you might try Dick Blick: http://www.dickblick.com/zz289/03/
by Russ McMullin
Wed Aug 16, 2006 6:45 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Original Dead Men
Replies: 686
Views: 2083515

I see you've collected some more sign man's vinyl
by Russ McMullin
Mon Aug 14, 2006 12:28 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Mirroring stains in sandblasted areas
Replies: 15
Views: 10645

The backup paint did have hardner in it Sarah. Unfortunately I don't have any nitric acid handy. If I can't clean the glass some other way, I'll wait for the product you are making.

Oh, I should mention that I've got your pictures ready to send, probably tomorrow.
by Russ McMullin
Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:50 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Mirroring stains in sandblasted areas
Replies: 15
Views: 10645

I'm having a similar issue. Kelly wanted me to send her some pictures of the piece I was working on at Larry's. She wanted to see the texture in the letters. When I pulled it out, I noticed how the mirrored areas were tarnished. At the meet we had tried angel gilding first, but didn't get a good mir...
by Russ McMullin
Sun Nov 13, 2005 5:35 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Thank You to Danny Baronian and a question
Replies: 3
Views: 3106

I've noticed that the angle of the cut makes a big difference when using a nipper. For best results the surface of the edge should be perpendicular to the surface of the glass, and that 90 degree angle should be consistant along the entire edge. If this angle changes, the nipper won't be biting the ...
by Russ McMullin
Mon Nov 07, 2005 1:42 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: OT>>>>Staying Healthy
Replies: 16
Views: 11288

I have had a difficult time keeping up exercise as weather changes. Walking in the cold doesn't appeal to me at all. For this reason I bought a treadmill several years ago, fully intending to use it. It wasn't a bottom of the barrel machine, and it probably would have been just fine, BUT...I hated t...
by Russ McMullin
Tue Oct 11, 2005 9:58 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: blast cabinet brushes?
Replies: 4
Views: 3094

Larry, when we were using your blast cabinet I didn't notice anything escaping through the brushes. What are the specs on your dust collection system? It seemed strong enough to keep any abrasive dust from escaping.
by Russ McMullin
Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:56 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Supplier for HF...
Replies: 2
Views: 2576

thanks for the link Larry.
by Russ McMullin
Sun Sep 25, 2005 7:10 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Ron & Kristi Percell's Micro Meet in Petaluma
Replies: 1
Views: 1872

Ron & Kristi Percell's Micro Meet in Petaluma

Last weekend I was in Petaluma and took a few pictures. It was a great meet. I thought some of you might want to see what went on. The captions are written from my own perspective.

http://www.russpix.com/petaluma/index.htm
by Russ McMullin
Sat Sep 24, 2005 1:13 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Speeding up chipping with calcium chloride?
Replies: 3
Views: 3157

Sounds interesting. When are you going to try it? I'd love to know the results.
by Russ McMullin
Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:02 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: glass sign sequence of techniques (?)
Replies: 8
Views: 6669

At Larry White's "Dead Man" meet it seems like everyone did the acid first - probably because after the glue chipping the mask was coming off. We temporarily covered up the areas that were going to be glue chipped, and applied the acid. After the acid was finished, and the residue washed o...