...Like Jim said. Couldn't you just mix some paint with various thinners and SEE WHAT WORKS? ...Nice of you to ask us first though. Mix away, and let us know what you find out.

...What bits I can't remove with a piece of masking tape, I usually "touch up" w. some of the background color.

...It looks far out. But, who does it "talk" to?

...heard once that they used a string w.chalk on it, that was "snapped" to make layout lines.

...And/or they would have just breezeed into a town, and "snapped" up jobs that a local would have gotten otherwise.

Used correctly, symbolism is a powerful tool that can communicate information much more effectively than sign verbiage. However, in graphic design these days - anything goes. ...Right or wrong. That is EXCEPT "client art". While a clients input is vital for thematic, graphic determinations...

...And Rick G. always said that the sheet gel was purer than the caps. (so who knows?)

...I'm still using (w. no problems) the sheets that I bought from him 15 years ago.

...It is June 16-18th. See ya there!

... (Due to the additional tooling necessary) most of the signs made using substrates other than MDO end up being either rectangular or square. My work is of a more "custom" nature and to me and all square corners are too boring and limited for MY clients. ...MDO is a "workhorse"...

...Mike, I've heard that cross country skiing is one of the best workouts possible. You could do just one half our a day and improve your fitness greatly. ..Another option is trudging your local frozen tundra in SNOW SHOES. Another great way to burn huge ammounts of calories. ...If you didn't live i...

...When spinning and/or burnishing a surface gild (w. velvet), is it the gold itself that receives the (microscopic) abrasions or the semi dry varnish below it? ...If it is the latter, then is it better to do the burnishing while the size is still "fresh" and not totally hardened? Or if th...

...That's a pretty one. It has lots of tiny details that I'd like to see how a master would render.

...I'm really interested in how someone would do the portrait. I am currently trying to figure out how to do a reverse on glass, goldleaf portrait (that looks convincing).

...That's a pretty one. It has lots of tiny details that I'd like to see how a master would render.

...I'm really interested in how someone would do the portrait. I am currently trying to figure out how to do a reverse on glass, goldleaf portrait (that looks convincing).

...Felix, for that BLUE border (between the gold lines) try mixing some PRUSSION BLUE artist oils (in tube) with quick size and airbrush it in there. (You cant hand brush it or there will be marks and streaks.) Then gild it with 12k "white gold". Do some experiments first to get the shade ...

...You may be refering to BRONZE POWDER. It can be used as you discribed, but it doesn't shine like real gold leaf does. It looks aliot like the metallic gold paint that is in cans.

...Lack of pin holes is one.

... I asked SEPP LEAF what they recommended and have used MONARCH from Germany since. Used on glass woth Glawson's gelatin, it yields a very brilliant gild.

...Mike, what is the status of (the people who bought &) your old shop now?

...Since it's oil based, it is probably still just as good as the day the lid was put on it. ...You'll just have to use some to see if Im correct. Being "slow" who knows how long it will remain "open". You may need to add a little "fast" to speed it up.

...Wow, this sounds like a plum job. I'd tell the client that you can only guess how long it would take to do one piece, and that you will be charging them your by-the-hour shop rate. Give 'em a guess-timate for the time (and perhaps a high and low), including the time for the artwork. Once you have...

...Properly done, GL on (interior) glass will last for many decades. This is usually NEVER done on the exterior, except (as mentioned already) for tinted windows. It the client needs a "burnish" gold job, don't give them "surface" work. Varigated leaf is NOT gold leaf, and it wil...

...Gary Anderson (I think) wrote an article about desiging scrolls that was in some sign magazine years ago. I don't remember which 'zine or when though. Perhaps Gary can fill you (and us) in when he gets back from Greece.

Maybe it's time to "hit the streets" and canvass for new customers. Intrroduce yourself and hand out cards and brochures (if you have one). Target businesses that need some "nice" work, or even any that need repaints. I go around the older nice neighborhoods and stuff mailboxes w...

...Not that they will pertain much to sign creation, but GRAFFITI MAGAZINES are full of amazing work and eye candy.

...Mike, since you obviously have received what must be your total allotment of bad luck (for at least the next year or two), now could be a good time to hit Vegas. ...Don't drive there though!!!

...Monarch from Sepp has always been good to me...

...Edit; it's a PowerBOOK. oops.

...Ray, if you can spring for a new POWERMAC ($1500 laptop), it will have Macs IMOVIE and IDVD built in. The sweet 'puter is the "state of the art" for video production, and it also has Macs new OS "Tiger" .(w. widgets!!!)

...Mr. S has got it. Without a plotter, hand lettering is (more often) the solution to many letter challenges. When I need some stick-on letters I get 'em cut by a friendly vinyl shop. Often, I have them cut "Gerber mask" and I fill in the paint. Vinyl sucks. ...Hand lettering always was a...

...I didn't know that chrisians were against vaccnations. Maybe the per is a member of some fundamentalist fringe sect. I hope they catch the nut, but he's probably to sactimonious to repeat his sins.

...Mike, I think Buffalo Bill had one of my ol' relatives "famous cowboy, Bill Pickett" riding for him at one time. ...Your photos look great. I'd like to see closer details of the "dingbats" on the gold sign, if you have any. ...And your ripping family are awesome too. I wish th...

...You could ruin your brushes if you trim away the hairs "feather" edge. This aspect is (one reason) why the particular type of animal hair was used insead of another kind.

...And, the best way to break in new quills is to paint letterforms with them every day.