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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 24 matches

by Jon Harl
Sun Jun 28, 2009 9:41 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Brush Box/Sign Kit
Replies: 9
Views: 9250

Brush Box/Sign Kit

Can anyone give me an idea where I can buy a sign kit. My old kit has bit the dust... it's time to get a new one.

Thanks,
Jon
by Jon Harl
Wed May 24, 2006 9:29 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: New Look for the Forum
Replies: 9
Views: 5670

I like to add my thanks. This is a great vehicle for signs and the trade.
by Jon Harl
Thu May 18, 2006 1:03 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Von Dutch
Replies: 7
Views: 5968

Wonder who bought the sign kit for $310,500.00.
by Jon Harl
Tue Dec 27, 2005 12:48 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Seasons Greetings
Replies: 7
Views: 4189

I'm with Larry, I don't even own a jacket. I never wear one, it never gets that cold in California. Pics look great, no complaints here. Happy holidays.
by Jon Harl
Mon Aug 08, 2005 8:15 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lettering Brushes?
Replies: 1
Views: 2067

Lettering Brushes?

I got some really great Handover Red Sable Quills from Rick. So it's been a long time since I've bought any brushes. Where are you buying brushes and what are you buying? For the most part I'm looking for some Rafael's or equal quality or better. Any help would be appreciated.
by Jon Harl
Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:18 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Getting the phone to ring?
Replies: 4
Views: 3671

Raymond: I'm sure I'd be surprised at Gary's answer. Thanks for the phone number. Now I just have to get over the embrassment and call him. Sometimes you think your idols are untouchable. Like, I'd sure hate to bother him. But that's just me. If I never try I'll never know.
by Jon Harl
Wed Aug 03, 2005 11:46 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Getting the phone to ring?
Replies: 4
Views: 3671

Getting the phone to ring?

I feel like I can paint with the best of them. And I think getting the "good" jobs is just a matter of numbers. The more people who call the better chance to sell an upscale sign. Especially if your look, samples and all reflect an upscale image. The big thing I've always been stumped abou...
by Jon Harl
Sat Jul 16, 2005 10:05 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Bad luck in 3s or 4s?
Replies: 13
Views: 7471

At least no one's in the hospital. Knock on wood.
by Jon Harl
Thu Feb 10, 2005 12:38 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Aluminum Leaf Questions.
Replies: 3
Views: 3244

I was going to suggest paladium leaf. That's what Rick Glawson steered me to for my shop sign when I wanted silver letters.
by Jon Harl
Thu Oct 07, 2004 10:18 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: M,A,N!
Replies: 4
Views: 4394

One of the medical clinics in Long Beach, CA, Harriman-Jones, had a 7 story building near the freeway. At the top of the building they had some white channel letters in Optima, very upscale. The A's were backwards. The sign company built them that way. I wonder how many hands it went through without...
by Jon Harl
Thu Sep 30, 2004 5:48 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Letter Arts Review
Replies: 1
Views: 2453

Letter Arts Review

I just got my new issue of Letter Arts Review. This is a magazine that deals alot with calligraphy. There's always great articles, but this is 60 pages jammed with two or three examples per page of great calligraphic artwork. And man is this ever artwork. All hand done with pen or brush or even a st...
by Jon Harl
Thu Sep 30, 2004 3:49 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Comments/Critiques on Glass Design
Replies: 5
Views: 4705

I would try to integrate the wheat into the 100/banner, creating a whole "thought". Perhaps the wheat could come from bhind the 100. I think you'd solve the negative space problem to the right and left of 100. I agree with Mike's comments about the headline. For the sake of repeating form ...
by Jon Harl
Thu Sep 30, 2004 3:27 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Foliage and Buffalo Photos
Replies: 7
Views: 6213

I've never seen country so beautiful. I'm totally jealous. Maike even though the pics are OT, they are very inspiring. Let's see some more when you've got the time. Thanks!
by Jon Harl
Thu Sep 30, 2004 3:16 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Signmaking 101: Design software
Replies: 2
Views: 3055

The thing I like about Adobe Illustrator is the Pen Tool. It's very powerful for producing original letterforms. I usually draw my words out in pencil on a light table, scan it into Photoshop, then use that scan as a template layer to draw over the top of with the pen tool. Great feature that I'm su...
by Jon Harl
Thu Sep 30, 2004 3:06 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: paper banners
Replies: 4
Views: 7118

I've got some old showcards. Some were done by Lane Walker and a couple by me, I've even got a Mike Stevens full sheet. I'll get my son to help me post pics soon. As Ron said Rich Art tempera is getting hard to find. McLogan's Sign Supply, Los Angeles 213/749-2262 still carries it and also 28" ...
by Jon Harl
Wed Sep 29, 2004 7:24 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: paper banners
Replies: 4
Views: 7118

Butcher paper is really "the" paper to use on cheap paper banners. For real quick banners I'd use Rich Art tempera paints and Langnickle's poster muslin brushes along with red sable flats. I wouldn't layout anything and would one stroke casual all the copy except for the price. Believe it ...
by Jon Harl
Sat Sep 18, 2004 5:12 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: A Little Letterhead
Replies: 3
Views: 3435

Mike,
That's a cool site. The kids look great. I saw Darla on the "My Brother" page suited up with pads and a board> :shock: How cool is that. Anyways, nice looking family.
Jon
by Jon Harl
Wed Sep 15, 2004 7:39 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Silence in the Fall
Replies: 4
Views: 4300

Mike,
I'd really like to see some Mike Jackson artwork (other than signs, not that I don't think your signs are great). I'm sure you paint some mighty fine watercolors.
by Jon Harl
Tue Sep 14, 2004 10:12 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Silence in the Fall
Replies: 4
Views: 4300

Have you ever thought of painting these landscapes of Wyoming? The pics make me jealous.
by Jon Harl
Mon Aug 16, 2004 1:08 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 111 Alphabet Sentences
Replies: 3
Views: 3998

What's an exchequer?
by Jon Harl
Fri Jul 23, 2004 1:58 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Blabbermouth me, or just a polite host?
Replies: 18
Views: 18988

I for one enjoy reading your posts. I also like the signmaking 101 posts and hope that they will continue. I for one will start trying to add original posts and ask more questions from now on. Thanks Mike.
by Jon Harl
Fri Jul 23, 2004 1:54 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Signmaking 101: Sharpening Chisels
Replies: 30
Views: 31072

A hollow ground tool is not supported at the cutting edge the same as a flat bevel. That said I use a Tormek grinder to shape or grind my angle. It's a slow grinder cooled by water so there's no chance to burn the tool. For honing/sharpening I use a Koch Thermal Reactive Sharpening System. This is a...
by Jon Harl
Fri Jul 23, 2004 1:35 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Signmaking 101: Mahl Sticks
Replies: 15
Views: 13920

Hey Mike, I've got one of those graphite mahl sticks too. It's made from a fishing rod blank. I put a cork fishing floate on both ends and dipped each cork in that rubber material that they use on plier handles. One rubberized cork rests on the piece I'm working on and the other ball is cupped in my...
by Jon Harl
Sat Apr 10, 2004 2:01 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Letter from Grandson of John Ohnimus
Replies: 10
Views: 10604

What a great story. I'm so glad to hear how honest Tod is. It must have been very hard to call and tell you the books were missing. Plus, it took them quite awhile to clean up. True artists at heart.