Lets Play "Make Believe"

[William Holohan]

Let's "Make Believe" I am a sincere young lad/lass interested in learning to letter.

I have told my Dad what I want to do. He thinks I'm nuts, but he loves me, so he agrees to humor/help me.

I have lurked here for several years, but was too intimidated by the major talents here to jump in and ask such a newbie question.

After carefully girding my loins, I did it!


He has agreed to pay for the following:

8 Lettering brushes. He says get the best.

3 Lettering books. Ditto

12 small cans of One Shot paints. Best color selection to be able to mix variants.

$200 for other sundry items. Rags, thinners, reducers etc.

What would you professionals suggest I get with my Dad's money.

[Mike Jackson]

William,
1/2 Pints of 1-Shot are around $5-$7. Pints run $9-15, depending on color. He'd most likely need quarts of red, black and white.

Reasonably good quills are around $12-$15...or so. The paint and brushes would probably chew up $200.

Even after all these years, I don't know of a great book still available for teaching hand lettering. Lonnie Tetetton (sp?) reprinted some old Matthews books with basic instructions. Some of those still surface. I have seen a few instructional "courses" offered on eBay, but I never took the risk to spend the money. Well...I take that back. I bought something for a person in Canada. Sent the money, but never received the package. I'd suggest sending him to a good Lettereads meeting where hand lettering is being done. It helps to see someone do it, then practice, practice, practice until you get to see them again.

The extra $200 would buy a small toolbox/kit, tape, level, chalk, charcoal powder, razor blades, pounce wheels, X-Acto knives, rollers, tray, handles, thinners and so forth. Most of the basics could probably be purchased for under $100. A three or four foot roll or buther paper for patterns might cost another $50.

Most signs used to be made out of MDO, and that required at least a skil saw, a couple of clamps, and a straight edge. Add in sanding pads and later a hand held router. Saw horses? Work bench? Table saw? Cut off saw? Ladders? That list of tools can grow and never end.

Of course, all of this is related to the process of learning to letter. Later there is insurance, permits, licensing, and so forth to deal with if it turns into a business. None of that would be necessary if they went to work for another existing sign company.

Tell him "good luck" for us
Mike Jackson

[William Holohan]

Mike,
The lad/lass described is a figment of my imagination.

While up posting I couldn't help noticing the number of views in comparison to the number of regular posters.

It is obvious from the posts, that most are from professionals doing "high end" work. A little intimidating if you are a lurker just starting out. Might even make you a little nervous about asking some basic, newbie questions.

It was my hope, that by asking the most basic of basic questions, to draw some of the lurkers into the site with their basic questions. Sort of a "Come on folks, ask away, we don't bite." thing.

Of all the sites that I visit on a regular daily basis, this is, by far the most non-contentious and on target.

I just hoped that my "make believe" post might draw in some of the "next generation" of "high end professionals".

Bill "Irish" Holohan

[Raymond Chapman]

Bill, I'm sure that I speak for Mike and the others when I say that this forum is especially for the newcomer that may have a lot of basic questions. Hopefully, those that are lurkers will not be shy about asking what might be considered simple questions. Many of us grew up around those old sign guys that would not reveal any of their "secrets" and most of us today have no intention of keeping anything away from anyone.

As far as your imaginary situation, Mike hit upon what might be some very essential tools. This profession has so many facets that it is very expensive to try to be proficient in all of them. Brushes and paint will get anyone started if hand lettering is what they want to do.

The best instruction is found in the pages of our journals, especially SignCraft. Second is a live Letterhead gathering. Add to that a lot of practice and hard knocks. I guess it's not simple.

P.S. Just as a personal plug - I have a series of articles on hand lettering beginning in the May issue of Sign Business Magazine. I'm sure that they won't make anyone a sign painter, but they may give some basics that would be helpful.

[Mike Jackson]

Hi William,
Yep, I knew it was an imaginary scenario, but I responded as though it was for real.

In some respects, someone can enter the sign trade with two or three good brushes, a couple of cans of paint and thinners, a stick of charcoal, a snap line and a tape measure. They can go out an snap a few windows, trucks and a few basic jobs with just those tools and make good money. Over a period of time, they just have to add other parts and supplies as needed.

I believe beginners should jump and take advantage of this resource. All they have to do is type in a question and hit the submit button. Pretty darned easy and painless. But...the people here can't make them do it, and few seem to dispense the information unless prompted with a question.

Thanks to all how help out on the site!
Mike

[Harry Malicoat]

..... and if they still can't quite bring themselves to post that question, pick out one of us and start by e-mailing us directly. I have met many of the guys over many years, and most of them will stop what they are doing (in Rick's honor if they didn't already) to answer that "newby" question.

[Roderick Treece]

As a young Lad (19 years old) I hit the road with a hand full of fitches and a box of one shots given to me by my dad or did I borrow them with without asking I can't remember.I would drive around until I found a Repaint .Remember those,well there still out there and thats a great way to learn.If the guy before you was really good you can see the costruction of the letters.
You might need a couple of ladders, a plank and some ladder jacks.
Just remember when you get done not to wipe off the snap line so you can be a true SNAPPER.

Roderick

[Doug Fielder]

Since I am still pretty new to this and I can remember back the 8 years when I first started, I can give some good input.

First are brushes...
I bought the Mack Grays in odd numbers 1 through 18 (I think the 18 was a brown). Most of them are still in good shape. I have since been introduced to the NJ Secret Stash of old French Masters (thanks Glen, Alan and Harry), cheap and 20+ years old. I still use my Macks though.

Books....
I bought the Atkinson, Stevens "Mastering Layout", & Gregory's Sign Painting Techniques. All 3 extra usefull and still on my desk.

Misc Supplies...
Pounce wheels, 36" Aluminum rulers (preferably the 1" wide ones), Mahl stick (made from a 3/8" dowel), thinner, chalkline chalk in dark and light colors, 3M Fineline tape, 3M masking tape, Stabilo pencils (blue and white), Grease Pencils (orange & white), small dixie cups, Compass, Exacto knife and lots of blades. Brush oil (Excalibur)

Paint Colors....
Black, Polar White, Red, Orange, Green, Blue, Yellow.

That's it to get started. It should all be kept safe in a box of some-sort.

Then practice on a sheet of glass, I was once told that if you can paint on glass, you can paint on anything.

Work on this for a while and then find a Mentor (that's how I did it).

Thank you Harry Henkel, Alan Johnson, Howie Nisgor & Bill Reidel.

Doug Fielder
FALLOUT Grafix
Montpelier, VT

[Keith Pettit]

I would'nt regard my self as a master, as so many people are that post here are. Though I am a self confessed lurker.
I think some of the most important things a "newbie" should have is not so much kit, you can beg borrow hire or steal! but inspiration, passion and a knowledge that you can make it. One of my biggest and earliest "awakenings" was a bunch of mid eighties Sign of the Times that was kicking around the Studio, there I discovered gems hidden amongst all the rest, people like Rick Glawson, there was a report of one of the first conclaves, Jim Pritchard who had a massive impact on me. There was the type of work I wanted to do, I still have those magazines.
Going to Terry Colleys letterheads meeting, was another piece in the jigsaw that I needed, I finally met people whose work I admired, but more importantly had built a sucssesful business at it, that gave me the confidence to dedicate myself totally to my ambitions.
So pehaps the young lad/lass should use the investment to find a mentor, subscribe to a decent trade magazine and get themself to a Letterhead meet!