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 251 matches

by BruceJackson
Mon Sep 06, 2010 2:01 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Paris glass and Lucien Helle
Replies: 7
Views: 4953

Re: Paris glass and Lucien Helle

Erik, That would be my dream trip. For years I've wanted to see those Parisian signs first-hand. Unfortunately, the cost of travelling to France is prohibitive. it has always seemed like the impossible dream to actually get there. I am insanely jealous. hahaha I hope you have a great camera. I want ...
by BruceJackson
Sun Sep 05, 2010 7:27 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 3 - E.S.Wilson_signwriter
Replies: 9
Views: 5741

Re: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 3 - E.S.Wilson_signwriter

Thanks for the comments. I'm glad people are enjoying these photos....I'm starting with my favourite ones, but there is still a lot more to come. Erik, (and anyone else who wants them), I have posted the original photos on my website for you to access. The files are a couple of Mb each, but it inclu...
by BruceJackson
Sun Sep 05, 2010 7:27 am
Forum: Hand Lettering Gallery
Topic: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 3 - E.S.Wilson_signwriter
Replies: 9
Views: 10357

Re: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 3 - E.S.Wilson_signwriter

Thanks for the comments. I'm glad people are enjoying these photos....I'm starting with my favourite ones, but there is still a lot more to come. Erik, (and anyone else who wants them), I have posted the original photos on my website for you to access. The files are a couple of Mb each, but it inclu...
by BruceJackson
Fri Sep 03, 2010 10:36 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 3 - E.S.Wilson_signwriter
Replies: 9
Views: 5741

Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 3 - E.S.Wilson_signwriter

Melbourne had a major international exhibition in the 1888 to show off the relatively new city to the world. We built an exhibition building especially for it that still stands and is possibly the most significant historic building in city. Here's the sign that was judged the finest example of the s...
by BruceJackson
Fri Sep 03, 2010 10:36 pm
Forum: Hand Lettering Gallery
Topic: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 3 - E.S.Wilson_signwriter
Replies: 9
Views: 10357

Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 3 - E.S.Wilson_signwriter

Melbourne had a major international exhibition in the 1888 to show off the relatively new city to the world. We built an exhibition building especially for it that still stands and is possibly the most significant historic building in city. Here's the sign that was judged the finest example of the s...
by BruceJackson
Fri Sep 03, 2010 8:48 am
Forum: Letterhead Events
Topic: Conclave 25 !!!
Replies: 31
Views: 51710

Re: Conclave 25 !!!

The Chinese lettering is traditional writing. (mainland China now uses a simplified version that has fewer strokes) In Pinyin, it is written as "mì yì" - both words are in fourth tone (descending tone) and it is "mee-yee", not "my". It's not a bad translation actually b...
by BruceJackson
Fri Sep 03, 2010 8:48 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Conclave 25 !!!
Replies: 31
Views: 24381

Re: Conclave 25 !!!

The Chinese lettering is traditional writing. (mainland China now uses a simplified version that has fewer strokes) In Pinyin, it is written as "mì yì" - both words are in fourth tone (descending tone) and it is "mee-yee", not "my". It's not a bad translation actually b...
by BruceJackson
Fri Aug 27, 2010 11:57 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 2 - Sinclairs' of Guildford
Replies: 5
Views: 3490

Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 2 - Sinclairs' of Guildford

I came across this shop during a day trip of small gold mining towns in central Victoria. This shop was an amazing find about 2 hours drive from Melbourne. Originally set up by J. Sinclair and Co., the building called London House, is at 39 Fryers Street, Guildford. The original sign remained intact...
by BruceJackson
Fri Aug 27, 2010 11:57 pm
Forum: Hand Lettering Gallery
Topic: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 2 - Sinclairs' of Guildford
Replies: 5
Views: 9204

Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 2 - Sinclairs' of Guildford

I came across this shop during a day trip of small gold mining towns in central Victoria. This shop was an amazing find about 2 hours drive from Melbourne. Originally set up by J. Sinclair and Co., the building called London House, is at 39 Fryers Street, Guildford. The original sign remained intact...
by BruceJackson
Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:11 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 1 - rhubarb jar
Replies: 5
Views: 4292

Re: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 1 - rhubarb jar

yes, it's done on the inside. someone did all this work with their arm inside the jar. When you think about how that must feel....imagine laying the gold leaf like this! doing all that engraving and forming letters without being able to get directly behind the work....and all this to sell some Rhuba...
by BruceJackson
Mon Aug 23, 2010 7:38 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Reverse glassart symposium
Replies: 1
Views: 1360

Re: Reverse glassart symposium

Wow, this looks incredible. I can't get there, but it would be an extraordinary set of lectures. Note it coincides with an exhibition of 150 reverse paintings spanning around 300 years. Erik, Do you know Simone Bretz? I would love to meet her. She has done some conservation work on some very signifi...
by BruceJackson
Sun Aug 22, 2010 7:21 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 1 - rhubarb jar
Replies: 5
Views: 4292

Bruce Jackson's photo archive - 1 - rhubarb jar

For several years, I have photographed every example of verre églomisé (glass gilding) that I find. It think you guys would like to look at them so I decided to post some pictures from my photo archive. I have in mind to post a new one on a regular basis. I'm not sure how frequently to do this, but ...
by BruceJackson
Sun Aug 22, 2010 2:57 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Glue Chip Cabinet
Replies: 26
Views: 16803

Re: Glue Chip Cabinet

Did I read "FREE" workshop....Good on you Dave! That's very generous or you. I want to come to that freebie too....hahaha.....looking forward to the free beer and free lunch. Coline, Don't be shy about showing your work. I think we all feel a bit that way, especially when you see some of t...
by BruceJackson
Fri Aug 20, 2010 7:28 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: using mica powders on glass
Replies: 9
Views: 6876

Re: using mica powders on glass

Thanks Pat and Erik, Erik, I don't do any chemical silvering. Simply because I haven't gotten around to leaning it properly or getting set up with the bath/wet area/chemicals/ etc. There is a company not far away that specializes in mirrors, they do hand-bevelling and silvering, so I just take it to...
by BruceJackson
Thu Aug 19, 2010 8:31 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: using mica powders on glass
Replies: 9
Views: 6876

Re: using mica powders on glass

Hi Catherine, In my experience, you can work using either of the methods you proposed. If you mix powders into size and brush it, you tend to see the direction of the brush stroke, which may or may not be suitable. stippling powder onto tacky size gives a nice satiny effect. Just be aware that it go...
by BruceJackson
Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:52 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Glass Signs (Showcase your work here!)
Replies: 93
Views: 64581

Re: Glass Signs (Showcase your work here!)

John, 你的玻璃的画很好 我也爱书法 我学中文学过三年半 虽然会看得懂 但是还是不流利 I love Chinese calligraphy too. It's such an amazing and interesting form of writing. This mirror says "sui yuan zhuan nian", which describes the type of thinking prevalent in Buddhist thought...the concept of allowing your thoughts to change a...
by BruceJackson
Thu Aug 12, 2010 9:49 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: GoldLeaf Workshop England
Replies: 36
Views: 21642

Re: GoldLeaf Workshop England

Yeah....very nice indeed. As several others have noted...it's a bit plain. a bit more decoration would lift it. hahaha Seriously though, when I see work like this, I always marvel at how you came up with some of the forms in it. The scroll shapes and the way they relate to each other. The way they r...
by BruceJackson
Thu Aug 12, 2010 7:51 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Glass Signs (Showcase your work here!)
Replies: 93
Views: 64581

Re: Glass Signs (Showcase your work here!)

Lots to look at here, so I'll add a recent piece of work too. It's not a sign, but the techniques are the same. This is a mirror for a Japanese restaurant. The woman is done in a variety of different colors of gold leaf, borrowing a composition and some design elements from Gustav Klimt. The woman f...
by BruceJackson
Thu Aug 12, 2010 6:44 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Italy
Replies: 7
Views: 4355

Re: Italy

Those first couple of photos appear to be gold engraving. Is that what we're looking at? Is it fully gilded with the design engraved and backed up with black? If so, it's an extraordinary piece of work. I can't imagine how long it would have taken to do such a large piece in such a fine and time-con...
by BruceJackson
Wed Aug 11, 2010 9:08 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Disneyland Hong Kong
Replies: 12
Views: 7560

Re: Disneyland Hong Kong

Thanks for the interest and the compliments. Yes, the job was done 5 years ago now. Time flies. I didn't post photos earlier because of a caveat placed on me regarding publishing photos of the work along with a text description of the work. Not wanting to upset my client, I decided to not put photos...
by BruceJackson
Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:10 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: International Goldleaf Workshop
Replies: 16
Views: 11926

I would love to attend a workshop. I have been wanting to arrange it for several years. The trouble is they always come up with too short notice. Coming from Australia, the trip is a long way and I'd also want to visit some other people and museum collections (Corning) to make the expense more palat...
by BruceJackson
Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:12 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Longevity of water-gilded Copper Leaf on glass
Replies: 11
Views: 7451

Moon gold is actually more like platinum in color. A warm grey. When compared with other white metals it is darker and browner. It's beautiful. The one I get is a high carat gold, usually over 23ct with a touch of palladium. Just a little palladium goes a long way to change the gold's color. Doug: t...
by BruceJackson
Thu Jan 18, 2007 7:07 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Design Fees
Replies: 9
Views: 7483

Similar to Doug, I usually do a rough sketch of the general concept. For the purpose of getting everyone knowing where it is going and helping me work out a price. Most clients see my other work and are happy to leave the details to me. It gives them enough to see what they're getting and gives me m...
by BruceJackson
Thu Jan 18, 2007 5:32 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Longevity of water-gilded Copper Leaf on glass
Replies: 11
Views: 7451

Longevity of water-gilded Copper Leaf on glass

I am preparing a report for a client on a sign done in copper leaf and would like your independent comments. The sign was done using water gilded copper leaf in reverse on glass. The outlines were laid on first in oil-based enamel (one-shot equivalent). The letter infill was then water gilded in cop...
by BruceJackson
Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:41 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Hamilton Bank Note-Completed & Framed!
Replies: 54
Views: 71098

A great example of the art, Larry. I just happened along this post and have spent the last hour following it through in detail. There are several aspects of it I really like. As others have noted, you have explained your methods well too. I notice you used tinted shellac as a glaze. I have not been ...
by BruceJackson
Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:41 am
Forum: Hand Lettering Techniques and Step by Steps
Topic: Hamilton Bank Note-Completed & Framed!
Replies: 54
Views: 22744

A great example of the art, Larry. I just happened along this post and have spent the last hour following it through in detail. There are several aspects of it I really like. As others have noted, you have explained your methods well too. I notice you used tinted shellac as a glaze. I have not been ...
by BruceJackson
Sat Sep 10, 2005 7:33 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Glue Chipping & Mask Removal
Replies: 18
Views: 10959

The last job I did a few months ago, I tried some minor variations. Normally I have mainly used the asphaltum resist and syringed glue method. This time I left the thick sand blast mask in place and after washing out the residual blast powder, rolled on some asphaltum with a hard rubber roller. It w...
by BruceJackson
Sat Apr 23, 2005 7:02 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Disneyland Hong Kong
Replies: 12
Views: 7560

Disneyland Hong Kong

I thought you folks might be interested in this project. I have been awarded the contract to do all the window signwriting in the Main Street section of Disneyland in Hong Kong. Over 90% of it is gold leaf lettering, comprising 140 signs. Everything from small transom numbers to full-blown feature p...
by BruceJackson
Sat Apr 23, 2005 6:17 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Source for Gilders Tip
Replies: 5
Views: 3406

I've always found tips to be a bizarre design. Why carboard? I mean, it's not the most robust of materials is it. I think if I was going to make one, I'd use a plastic handle. I'd also make the hair longer so that it holds at least 80% of the leaf. Anyone placing full leaves with those short tips wi...
by BruceJackson
Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:30 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Scalloping large glass
Replies: 7
Views: 6023

I've never done scalloping, nor seen it done, but I've always wondered about it. I thought it was wheel-cut like brilliant cutting.

Could someone give a brief description and post a photo of the tool.