Hey everyone, Happy New Year. I took the advice of David Slade from my previous post and made my first hand lettered sign as a Christmas gift for my aunt and her painting business. Here were the results. Any comments and suggestions welcome. IMGP1844.jpg IMGP1847.jpg IMGP1848.jpg IMGP1849.jpg I had ...

Just to be clear, I never said it was a bad design, just that the design is not a good logo. I think what you have done Dave would make a fantastic mural. However, a mural, pair of shorts, flyer, poster etc. is not a logo. A logo needs to be adaptable so that it can be incorporated for use in any an...

It's great that you like it Erik, I was just putting in my perspective. Trends are probably different in my backwoods country but that's irrelevant because a good logo should not respond to trends but be simple and timeless in order to be useful to the company in the broadest range of media for a mi...

Dave, I have a huge level of respect for you and you work so it kills me to say this design doesn't make a very good logo. There is just to much going on here for the actual name to cut through and be memorable especially when presented in small sizes such as a business card or letterhead. In my opi...

I'm no brush expert just going by what is written on Mack's website. Apparently Red sable is from a type of weasel, it varies greatly in quality and is generally cheaper. Kolinsky is from mink and is supposed to be the best, most expensive and apparently most difficult to find. Most of the brushes t...

Thanks for all the great feedback and suggestions everyone. I have three Christmas gift projects I'm working on which will be good practice. I just ordered a few new brushes which I'm looking forward to trying out. They're Grey squirrel hair Mack brushes (189L) and an Xcaliber Striping brush. Jason,...

All of these resources are great for learning how to use Photoshop as well as explaining various techniques but if you want to get inspired or see the best out there I would recommend Advanced Photoshop Magazine. http://www.advancedphotoshop.co.uk/showpage.php?page=About%20The%20Mag Jaw dropping stu...

To Larry and James, thanks for the replies. I'm not trying to win any medals, just to get some feedback. This really is my first try lettering. I've heard the tip about using tape and I should try it out but I'd like to not have to depend on it. Patrick, I was using lettering enamel here. Just what ...

Well here it is, my first alphabet. Any comments or constructive criticism are welcome. 01.jpg 02.jpg 03.jpg I found an old #6 Mack brush laying in oil in a locker along with several cans of 1 Shot and some mystery paint in a baby food jar which I used here. It worked just fine though I think I thin...

Bruce, thank you for a very concise description of the more common paints. This is very helpful. I'm sure I'll be referring back to this on occasion.

Erik, If you have any "basic questions" you're afraid to ask just send them to me and I'll ask them for you. No shame here.

This is very interesting David. After reading your reply I looked into the products you indicated. If I understand correctly, the Cashew Urushi is made from cashew oil and was created in the 1950's as an alternative or imitation of Hon-Urushi. Hon-Urushi is a traditional lacquer made from the sap of...

Thanks Eric, That's exactly the kind of information I'm looking for. I guess the most comfortable solution for me is to just use 1 Shot and wear a mask/gloves since I'm pretty familiar with those paints. How do Japan colours compare? I am very interested in learning more about the different paint pe...

Hello all, I'm assembling a list of supplies that I need to get to work on my first projects and am debating what paints I should be working with. I am concerned about the working characteristics of the paint such as how well it flows and covers etc., its long term durability and its effects on my h...

I defiantly have to agree with you on the reverse lettering Mike and I have many gripes about vehicle lettering in general. Whenever I am asked to do a new layout for a vehicle every client wants their logo, three or more points about their business, at least one phone number, website and even their...

Thank you Doug.

I will continue to search through. Are there any threads in particular you feel I would benefit from?

I'll be sure to tell my wife you said so...

Thank you for the response Erik. It is my hope that I will learn much from others on this forum. I had not yet heard of Piere Tadriff, thank you for mentioning him. I've since visited his website. I like his weathering style. Unfortunately Canada is a very very big country and Quebec City is in my n...

I couldn't find any mention of this film on the forum so I thought I'd put it out there. "Up There" http://vimeo.com/10562000 It's beautifully shot and tells the story of a small group in New York City that is still painting large billboards by hand. It was sponsored by Stella Artois so yo...

Hello to all. This is my first post and I'm very excited to have come across this forum. I have quite a bit of experience in the post vinyl sign industry creating designs and layouts (both by hand and with various computer programs) as well as working with all types of printed and cut vinyl films, p...