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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 324 matches

by Dan Seese
Wed Apr 17, 2013 10:09 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Sandblasted Letter Gilding
Replies: 12
Views: 8685

Re: Sandblasted Letter Gilding

Robare, Thanks for the report on your experiments. Looking forward to seeing the comparison pics. I was going to recommend leaving the mask on after blasting for your gilding but I had thought the piece was already completed so I didn't mention it. I like to leave the mask on, airbrush the Frog Juic...
by Dan Seese
Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:16 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Sandblasted Letter Gilding
Replies: 12
Views: 8685

Re: Sandblasted Letter Gilding

Hi Robare, I've normally used Frog Juice, like Larry says. I don't see why a varnish wouldn't work as well, though you probably can't avoid having a very slight varnish tint to it. For removal, just as you note, I've used a new, sharp razor blade. Be careful because if you don't pay attention it can...
by Dan Seese
Mon Apr 15, 2013 5:21 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Got my Sign work on TV
Replies: 7
Views: 6326

Re: Got my Sign work on TV

Must be a thrill to see your work on TV, Terry. Went to check out your Facebook page, since I'm a relative newcomer on that scene as well. Very nice work. Wasn't able to get the BBC link to work but sometimes those BBC links don't work in the US. I think we first need to sing "God Save the Quee...
by Dan Seese
Mon Mar 18, 2013 10:15 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Customer video
Replies: 10
Views: 7658

Re: Customer video

Really nice video, Cal. Gotta tell you that on top of seeing your great hand lettering, I loved seeing that nifty rolling cart. And your brushes were so immaculately cared for in your brush kit. Topped off nicely as you folded up your apron without a spot of paint on yourself and headed off to your ...
by Dan Seese
Mon Mar 18, 2013 10:02 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: St. Patrick's Day Gift - The Book of Kells
Replies: 3
Views: 3058

Re: St. Patrick's Day Gift - The Book of Kells

Hi Bruce, I know what you mean about shaking your head in amazement. The tiniest details are so intricately woven with knots, animals, people . . . One of the things I love about the online version is that you can zoom in so closely. I have the George Bain book you're referring to and have used the ...
by Dan Seese
Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:35 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: St. Patrick's Day Gift - The Book of Kells
Replies: 3
Views: 3058

St. Patrick's Day Gift - The Book of Kells

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Trinity College has announced that the Book of Kells is now viewable in the library's online repository. I've written an article about The Book of Kells (where I also provide a link to Trinity's repository): http://www.danseesestudios.com/blog/2013/3/17/my-favorite-lettering...
by Dan Seese
Sat Mar 16, 2013 8:20 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: The $277,050 Calligrapher
Replies: 15
Views: 10766

Re: The $277,050 Calligrapher

Very interesting post! It's pretty difficult to judge a preference from the picture Chuck posted - which was taken directly from the news story. They look pretty comparable and I doubt if I would have a preference based on that single example, alone. Having said that, I think if I were to receive an...
by Dan Seese
Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:01 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Decorative Glass Processes...
Replies: 18
Views: 15262

Re: Decorative Glass Processes...

Nice, clean site Pat! Glad you got it updated.
Hope it helps to drive some business to your door.
You da man!
by Dan Seese
Thu Feb 28, 2013 6:36 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Film about the making of John Mayers Born and Raised artwork
Replies: 19
Views: 13814

Re: Film about the making of John Mayers Born and Raised artwork

Contrary to Mick Jagger's 1960's lament - I got complete satisfaction from watching this, Dave. Everything about the film itself was sublime and suited your work perfectly. Like Julio said, there was a great deal of instruction just watching you work. A nice display of using that handy Smith Tip as ...
by Dan Seese
Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:13 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 276ccm: My work and progress..
Replies: 40
Views: 24427

Re: 276ccm: My work and progress..

Really quick photoshop alteration you might build on. The 7 follows the profile of the 2 and mirrors the 6.
by Dan Seese
Wed Feb 27, 2013 12:00 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 276ccm: My work and progress..
Replies: 40
Views: 24427

Re: 276ccm: My work and progress..

Marius, Not much to critique. You've really nailed the style & it holds together well. One thing my critical eye catches right away though is the space between the 2 and the 7 in 276 CCM. Would it make sense either to give the 7 a slant on the lower left (possibly give it a left "bulge"...
by Dan Seese
Mon Feb 25, 2013 7:27 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Making my own gilder's cushion.
Replies: 17
Views: 16716

Re: Making my own gilder's cushion.

You know, I have a gilder's cushion but almost never use it. (Of course I don't have one of those handy knives to use with it.) I always leave the right side of fingernail on the middle finger of my right hand grow a little long. When I'm gilding I fold over the tissue paper which separates the leav...
by Dan Seese
Mon Feb 25, 2013 6:02 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Cutting glass with scissors ?
Replies: 13
Views: 9473

Re: Cutting glass with scissors ?

I too recall being there and watching young Kevin Betz's performance right before my very eyes! I love your explanation, Pat. Your comments often remind me of Rick Glawson who would not only describe how to do something but he would give a chemical explanation along with the physics and a thorough h...
by Dan Seese
Wed Feb 20, 2013 3:58 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: New to the forum, new to lettering...
Replies: 11
Views: 7764

Re: New to the forum, new to lettering...

Julio, Lee Littlewood had some great advice for you there - especially doing shapes or copy-blocks on your thumbnail layout. Doing something like that will really help organize and prioritize the message. As far as getting close to the borders is concerned - you might try putting masking tape around...
by Dan Seese
Mon Feb 18, 2013 1:47 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: visiting USA in May
Replies: 18
Views: 15938

Re: visiting USA in May

Hi Bruce, Glad you're coming to USA but disappointed I'll miss meeting you. Wave to Colorado when you fly over me twice. Stopping in to see Larry (aka William Blake) in the town of Machine is a must. See if he can take you a few miles from his place to visit Steve & Mary Kersey at Kersey's Glass...
by Dan Seese
Tue Feb 12, 2013 1:21 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Insurance Rant
Replies: 5
Views: 3939

Re: Insurance Rant

Mike, what you site is pretty frustrating. A few years ago I had a "professional" packaging company pack a couple of signs I was shipping, thinking it would be best to have someone who knows what they're doing take care of it. Well, the signs were trashed in the shipping. Finding the respo...
by Dan Seese
Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:47 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: New to the forum, new to lettering...
Replies: 11
Views: 7764

Re: New to the forum, new to lettering...

Welcome, Julio! I love it when people begin to explore hand lettering and especially take the next step of sharing their work. Nice to have a wife knock sense into you from time to time, huh? (I fully understand your sense of feeling embarassed about your work and I still experience that after all t...
by Dan Seese
Mon Feb 04, 2013 1:08 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: The Future of Hand Painted lettering with Gold Leaf
Replies: 16
Views: 12333

Re: The Future of Hand Painted lettering with Gold Leaf

I guess I haven't checked into the forum here for a week or so. Much of the time I was busy on-location, as Mike mentions. Not for glass gilding but being taken away from the shop for protracted periods of time always interrupts the flow of the multiple hats I need to wear as president, designer, pr...
by Dan Seese
Fri Jan 25, 2013 4:01 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Cappiello...Artiste!
Replies: 1
Views: 1934

Re: Cappiello...Artiste!

Ah yes! Love their work - especially Cappiello.

His graphic expression - so vivid & playful yet simple & fluid - always evokes in me a covetous "Why couldn't I have thought of that?" I guess that's what made him a master.

Thanks for sharing these, Robert.
by Dan Seese
Mon Jan 21, 2013 12:22 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 276ccm: My work and progress..
Replies: 40
Views: 24427

Re: 276ccm: My work and progress..

Marius, If you use the One Shot hardener, be sure you add no more than 5%. It will speed up the drying time but I think if you add too much it makes it brittle. I don't think I've ever tried it to use One Shot paint as a back-up paint with or without hardener but John Studden may have done so. I kno...
by Dan Seese
Tue Jan 15, 2013 11:17 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: My studio's windows and a website update with new photos
Replies: 9
Views: 7504

Re: My studio's windows and a website update with new photos

Absolutely beautiful work, Bruce. Stunning.

I've long admired your work but this updated site does a terrific job of showcasing it. Well organized, plenty of helpful content, great photos. It deserves plenty of inbound links.

You've raised the bar for us!
by Dan Seese
Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:05 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 276ccm: My work and progress..
Replies: 40
Views: 24427

Re: 276ccm: My work and progress..

Looks to me like Marius has been doing some experimenting already! The book is a great resource so take Erik's advice & purchase it if you can. Even with the book, you'll have questions. Kent Smith checks in often & (as the one who authored the latest versions of the book) can offer advice. ...
by Dan Seese
Sun Jan 13, 2013 3:06 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 276ccm: My work and progress..
Replies: 40
Views: 24427

Re: 276ccm: My work and progress..

Marius, Holding it up to the light is a sure road to frustration. The leaf is so thin that you will ALWAYS see thin spots, cracks & holes. That microscopic sheet of gold is all that is needed and it is so reflective that many imperfections will basically disappear when it is backed-up. However, ...
by Dan Seese
Sat Jan 12, 2013 11:51 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 276ccm: My work and progress..
Replies: 40
Views: 24427

Re: 276ccm: My work and progress..

Hey Marius, Great start! No, it doesn't look bad at all. Seeing the crinkle lines is common and those will be diminshed (though in my case never eliminated) with practice. You didn't mention if you wiped it down, after it was dry, with cotton to remove the loose silver before backing it up. That's a...
by Dan Seese
Mon Jan 07, 2013 10:29 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Hi from Norway..
Replies: 10
Views: 6971

Re: Hi from Norway..

Two quick notes: First: Nice summary, Danny, about the different types of gilding and products to use. Follow this information, Marius, and it will steer you in the right direction. Second: I really appreciated looking at your work, Marius. Top-shelf! I don't know anything about gilding leather and ...
by Dan Seese
Fri Dec 28, 2012 11:17 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Easel
Replies: 14
Views: 11902

Re: Easel

Robert, That carved piece is killer. Mucha has become so popular and often you see his work reproduced rather shabbily. You've nailed it. Are the pictorials in the glass pieces all reverse painted or are you applying any canvas to the back. It looks to me like it is reverse painted. I know from expe...
by Dan Seese
Thu Dec 27, 2012 11:10 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Easel
Replies: 14
Views: 11902

Re: Easel

Wow. Robert, that is really great. Hopefully you're able to cinch down the rods securely. With the weight of glass that large it would be a mess for things to come loose. It looks like nylon screws or something to hold the glass inside the top & bottom pivoting channels. Is the rod adjustment se...
by Dan Seese
Sun Dec 16, 2012 12:05 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: from the past
Replies: 2
Views: 2884

Re: from the past

I love this, Doug.
Thanks for posting it!
by Dan Seese
Sat Dec 15, 2012 11:55 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Fast Gold Size
Replies: 19
Views: 14789

Re: Fast Gold Size

Some really great tips here, both on the types of size to use as well as techniques to keep it from skinning over - which was my main complaint with One Shot. Joe - I'm going to try the bolt in the lid trick. Lee, I still have some LeFranc old formula 12-18 hour, which I love, and have been worried ...
by Dan Seese
Fri Dec 14, 2012 6:05 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Fast Gold Size
Replies: 19
Views: 14789

Re: Fast Gold Size

Thanks, John. My gold size is on the way. Ron said you used it for the Disney project & it worked well for you. I still have some of the old formula LeFranc slow size I can add in at will. I always blow some carbon dioxide from my lungs into the can before closing. Learned that trick from Rick. ...