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 68 matches

by cam bortz
Wed Oct 19, 2011 10:09 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Titanic Letterheads 2012
Replies: 27
Views: 19872

Re: Titanic Letterheads 2012

Has there been an official website done for this meet? I'd very much like to find more info.
by cam bortz
Tue Oct 18, 2011 12:34 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: No news?
Replies: 87
Views: 86479

Re: No news?

Erik, I visited Wurzburg a year ago and have seen the reverse-gold glass panels in the Residenz; they are truly magnificent. I envy you your attending a seminar there. As for work, my shop has been fairly busy despite the down economy; you can see some of this year's projects on Facebook (Finest Kin...
by cam bortz
Fri Oct 07, 2011 9:49 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: a project or 2
Replies: 18
Views: 12835

Re: a project or 2

Doug, your craftsmanship is stunning. We're not worthy! Danny made the point about no place in the US that would be willing to pay for this calibre of work; of that I'm not so sure - but one thing I've seen, more often, is an unwillingness or indifference to maintain it. I long ago stopped selling c...
by cam bortz
Fri Oct 07, 2011 9:32 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Newest glass sign
Replies: 53
Views: 38168

Re: Newest glass sign

Roderick, I've worked with Dykale Dunkley on past projects for Double RL, including a store in East Hampton, Long Island. Double RL loves this type of distressed and vintage signs and graphics.
by cam bortz
Mon Mar 21, 2011 4:17 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Florence window gilding
Replies: 16
Views: 13052

Re: Florence window gilding

Mark, I've also done that trick of texturing an almost-dry matte varnish center. I've even gone so far as to etch patterns into a matte center as one would do in damar; the patterns are very subtle, but they do pick up the light. This makes me want to play with gold on glass again. It's been over a ...
by cam bortz
Mon Mar 08, 2010 1:38 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Mirroring question
Replies: 1
Views: 1587

Mirroring question

A customer came to me with a couple of sandblasted glass pieces from an antique popcorn machine. He has someone to do the mirroring, and wants me to letter the glass, in reverse, to be mirrored over. My concern is whether the paint would survive the mirroring process. Can someone enlighten me on thi...
by cam bortz
Wed Feb 24, 2010 5:35 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: glass crystals?
Replies: 4
Views: 3003

Re: glass crystals?

Thanks guys. Larry, I have a bid in on that ebay auction, could be just the thing. :D
by cam bortz
Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:45 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: glass crystals?
Replies: 4
Views: 3003

glass crystals?

Rick used to sell glass "watch crystals" in different sizes and colors. I just spoke to Kristi at Letterhead supply and they have only one size, about a half inch diameter. I'd like to find other sizes, any suggestions?
by cam bortz
Thu Dec 24, 2009 11:06 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Why isn't this Gold Size drying on LATEX PANEL????
Replies: 8
Views: 4420

Re: Why isn't this Gold Size drying on LATEX PANEL????

I've also had the problem of gold peeling from a latex finish months after gilding. One solution is to coat your areas to be gilded with Ti-Cote and a coat of enamel before sizing (which is very much like what Mike was suggesting). Personally, I deeply dislike acrylic latex paints. In the past two y...
by cam bortz
Thu Dec 24, 2009 10:57 am
Forum: Annoucements
Topic: Merry Christmas
Replies: 10
Views: 15025

Re: Merry Christmas

A very merry Christmas and an Angel-gilded, acid-etched, glue-chipped, brilliant-cut New Year to all. :D
by cam bortz
Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:50 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: London Pubs From the lense of Mr Bernhardt
Replies: 10
Views: 6586

Re: London Pubs From the lense of Mr Bernhardt

In Ireland a few years ago I got into a conversation with a pub owner, and commented on the huge number of closed pubs I'd been seeing in my travels. His perspective was interesting - he said a big reason was the anti-smoking regulations. As I remember, the gist of this was that for many pubs, the p...
by cam bortz
Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:19 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Epiphanes Varnish
Replies: 7
Views: 5013

Re: Epiphanes Varnish

I've used Epiphanes since 1990, on varnished mahogany. Like any varnish, it's longevity depends on how much direct sun it gets, but it does last a lot longer than polyurethanes. It's not a "water clear" coating (it has a rich golden varnish color) and as for thinner, a good grade of real g...
by cam bortz
Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:51 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: My visit to Argentina
Replies: 2
Views: 1976

Re: My visit to Argentina

Great photos, Erik. South America is one place I've always wanted to go, and seeing the level of quality sign work there, even more so. Thanks! :D
by cam bortz
Mon Sep 14, 2009 12:51 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: What would you do
Replies: 17
Views: 8856

Re: What would you do

A lot of good answers here. Some customers are psychologically caught up in a particular image or idea, but more often than not, it comes down to not having been shown anything better. Case in point - a recent client came in with some professionally produced but very mediocre artwork and a budget of...
by cam bortz
Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:35 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Recomendations for slow size
Replies: 2
Views: 2050

Recomendations for slow size

I'm just about out of my last can of "old" Lefranc 12 hour size, and I've heard a number of different rumors about the performance of the re-formulated lead-free version. Who is using what, and what recommendations can you offer?
by cam bortz
Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:36 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Oktoberfest Munchen 2009
Replies: 13
Views: 8222

Re: Oktoberfest Munchen 2009

I went to Oktoberfest in 1974 - stayed at a youth hostel in Augsburg and took the train to Munich in the company of an Aussie chap. I was eighteen at the time; managed to swallow two liters over the course of some hours. The train ride back to Augburg was memorable to say the least. What a great mem...
by cam bortz
Tue Jul 07, 2009 12:07 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Design Critique
Replies: 9
Views: 5429

Re: Design Critique

My first glance impression is that while the main copy has enough contrast with the blue background, where it overlaps on the stone there is much less. Could be a source of readability problems, depending how fast traffic moves and how much visual competition it has to deal with. My thought for the ...
by cam bortz
Thu May 28, 2009 9:26 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: I can't afford to use cheap paint
Replies: 0
Views: 2543

I can't afford to use cheap paint

So I've been trying this stuff from FPE from this color deck http://www.finepaintsofeurope.com/colle ... itish.aspx and I'm wondering who else has tried it. I'm very impressed so far with the quality and gloss of the enamels. :)
by cam bortz
Thu May 21, 2009 1:15 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Eigenbrot Brewery Curved glass signs
Replies: 22
Views: 13638

Re: Eigenbrot Brewery Curved glass signs

M'Turk: "E's at it wit' th' bleedin glass again. Shockin' bad. Make us look like bleedin amatuers, 'e does." Beetle: "It's just not fair. I've practised for weeks, and I still make a beastly mess of it." Stalky: "You've been here four years and you still expect fairness? Wel...
by cam bortz
Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:47 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: GraphiKore
Replies: 5
Views: 2926

Re: GraphiKore

I tried this stuff on a carved sign way back then. I went to a lot of extra steps to seal it from water penetration, and it still looked fine about eight years later - soon after that it began to deteriorate VERY fast. Some areas under the paint film turned to a black mush; and a very large toadstoo...
by cam bortz
Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:28 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Questions concerning fonts...
Replies: 6
Views: 4219

Re: Questions concerning fonts...

I downloaded both fonts, and have used them in jobs. The Atkinson font I have found particularly useful, a nice variation - I also own the LHF version but find this one more appealing. :D
by cam bortz
Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:30 pm
Forum: Hand Lettering Gallery
Topic: Morris minor glass panels
Replies: 29
Views: 18196

Stunning. :shock: That's the only word that comes to mind. Mr. Smith just keeps upping the bar. :D :D
by cam bortz
Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:30 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Morris minor glass panels
Replies: 29
Views: 20660

Stunning. :shock: That's the only word that comes to mind. Mr. Smith just keeps upping the bar. :D :D
by cam bortz
Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:28 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Online Mucha Exhibit
Replies: 6
Views: 4831

Thanks for the link, Kelly. I've been to Prague and seen the Mucha museum, which has a very comprehensive collection of his work. Mucha was a major influence on the American masters like Atkinson and Charles Strong, among others.
by cam bortz
Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:38 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Advice for practicing lettering daily
Replies: 6
Views: 5200

My mentor back in the '80s had me practice by lettering casual and free-hand script - he said if I could produce a decent one-stroke "plug" and a script, I could letter anything, any style, and by george, he was right. There is no substitute for practice - that's what I've always liked abo...
by cam bortz
Thu Nov 16, 2006 4:40 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Dumb Vinyl Question
Replies: 5
Views: 3763

It's not always old vynull or the wrong weight. I had this very problem earlier today on a truck lettering job, while using brand-new 3M black vynull. When this starts to happen I keep an exacto at hand; usually I can pick the edge of the torn liner away from the vynull before it tears too far. It's...
by cam bortz
Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:46 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Strange days indeed
Replies: 5
Views: 4356

An update as of today

The 15'x2' fascia Bear's Lair sign has been sold to Stonington high school to hang in their new gymnasium. The sign reads "the Bear's Lair pub"; I'm covering the "pub" with a bear paw graphic. This is a great use of a sign that's been on the shop wall for nearly three years.
by cam bortz
Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:29 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Holy Camoles!!!
Replies: 3
Views: 2793

Hi Pierre, and welcome! This isn't like that Other Place; the people here take their skills seriously and know what they are talking about. If you've ever wanted to play around with serious glass techniques, this is the place to ask real questions and get real answers.
by cam bortz
Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:27 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Antique glass sign...help with a photo?
Replies: 3
Views: 2726

Pictures of the glass sign can be seen at www.finestkindsigns.blogspot.com