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.

Another newbie

Hand Lettering topics: Sign Making, Design, Fabrication, Letterheads, Sign Books.

Moderators: Ron Percell, Mike Jackson, Danny Baronian

Post Reply
Mike Simpson
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 10:33 pm
Location: Montrose, CO
Contact:

Another newbie

Post by Mike Simpson »

That's me, another newbie. I have a studio/shop/gallery in Montrose, CO. Starting my 25th year the first of January I've been painting pictures and doing custom framing from prefinished chop moulding, matting etc. to hand finished kt gold gilded frames. Over the years I've had an interest in what you folks are doing, i.e. hand lettering, gilding etc. I've tried my hand at it and have followed many of you over the years. I've looked everybody up on the 'net, and watched the youtube videos. I have a lot of experience in gilding picture frames and painting pictures. What I'd really like to do is learn what you all are doing, from hand lettering to gilding letters and designs on glass and mirrors. As I said I've tried my hand at it and would really like to get some hands on training. Reading the forum I find you guys and gals are quite generous with your information and help. I am starved for some instruction and help.
A couple questions up front if i might. I read in one of the posts, mention of the Colorado Letterheads. Who might I contact, and how, regarding the group. I'd really like to get with somebody to sit in, participate, learn.
Second, I have the opportunity to take a workshop in Grand Junction the first of April with Pierre Tardiff from Quebec. I only know of him through a couple of youtube postings. Can anyone tell me if this would be a good start or if there is anything else coming up that I would be better advised to take.
Thanks for the help and I look forward to learning as much from you all as I can. My hat is off to all of you for what you do. You are a very talented group.
Dan Seese
Posts: 324
Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2004 11:29 pm
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Contact:

Re: Another newbie

Post by Dan Seese »

Hello Mike,
Welcome!
The Colorado Letterheads are a bunch of us here in Colorado who almost never get together but who talk about doing so from time to time.
Probably Kent Smith would be the one most conversant with what our non-activities are at any given moment. (Actually, I missed the most recent get-together at Joe Broxterman's place last year, so I shouldn't criticize.) Maybe this would be a good impetus to try to have a meeting and if it had to do with gold on glass, I'd find a way to be there.
I'm in Fort Collins & you're on the other side of the divide in Montrose, so we're probably about 6-7 hours apart. I did some work in Telluride a few years back so I'm a bit familiar with your neck of the woods. Kraig Yaseen is in Durango and does some beautiful work.
I had no idea Pierre Tardif was coming to Grand Junction. What brings him there? I don't know him but I know he's quite talented. That would probably be a great class to take. I think Jeff Cahill is doing some kind of beginning hand lettering class in the near future as well but it won't be as close to you as the Grand Junction gig.
Don't know if this helps or not but it's nice to have a fellow Coloradoan join the conversation.
If you're ever up my way, by all means give me a ring. (970-226-0618)
Dan
Dan
"The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne."
Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340 - 1400)

http://DanSeeseStudios.com
http://www.DanSeeseStudios.com/blog/
http://www.facebook.com/DanSeeseStudios
Billie DeBekker
Posts: 54
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:39 am

Re: Another newbie

Post by Billie DeBekker »

Welcome Mike,
I'm just over the hill from you in Canon. My Son and I will be at Jeff's Class in April. In Co. Springs. Try to get there. Very reasonably priced @$150..
http://www.brushletteringworkshops.com/

Mark Summers and I are going to try to get together in the next few months to play with some more Glass, Gold and Paint at one of our places. He's in Breck.

And I am in the process of organizing a Walldog meet scheduled for Oct 3-7 2012 here in Canon. More info on that to come.

Opps.. Sorry Mark.. I forgot you're in the Suburbs.
Last edited by Billie DeBekker on Tue Mar 01, 2011 6:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mark Summers
Posts: 177
Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 4:03 pm
Location: Frisco, Co
Contact:

Re: Another newbie

Post by Mark Summers »

That's Frisco Bill. People from Breckenridge entirely talk different.

Mark
joe cieslowski
Posts: 338
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 6:15 pm
Location: east canaan ct
Contact:

Re: Another newbie

Post by joe cieslowski »

Welcome Mike!

Pierre's class is just the thing for folks like you starting out. His brush and paint skills are excellent......plus he's a real hoot!!!

I'm pretty sure Kent Smith has gilding classes and a video. You should be able to get his info from this site.

This is a book that covers all the basics.....worth the price of admission.

http://www.paperbackswap.com/Gold-Leaf- ... 944094252/

Joe,

Makin Chip$ and Havin Fun!
Makin Chip$ and Havin Fun!
Mike Jackson
Site Admin
Posts: 1705
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 11:02 pm
Location: Jackson Hole, WY
Contact:

Re: Another newbie

Post by Mike Jackson »

Mike,
Welcome to the Forum! Kent Smith is probably your best connection to the Colorado Letterheads. You can send him a Private Email and get details or announcements of any of their upcoming meetings.

Take care,
Mike Jackson
Mike Jackson / co-administrator
Golden Era Studios
Vintage Ornamental Clip art
Jackson Hole, WY

Photography site:
Teton Images
Jackson Hole photography blog:
Best of the Tetons
Mike Simpson
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 10:33 pm
Location: Montrose, CO
Contact:

Re: Another newbie

Post by Mike Simpson »

Thanks all for your welome. It's very much appreciated and I look forward to belonging to this community. Yes, I knew about Jeff's class coming up and I had planned to do it until I happened across Pierre's class which is a lot closer and three days. I've seen Kent's video, several times in fact, so I'll get a hold of him too. Thanks for the invites to stop by. You can bet I will and if any of you are in Montrose please give me a call and/or stop by the shop.
Mike Simpson
picture framemaker and artist
http://www.mikesimpsonart.com
Kerri Lynn Brownlee
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 7:27 pm

Re: Another newbie

Post by Kerri Lynn Brownlee »

:D Hi Mike from the other newbie on the block!

Looking forward to seeing some of your work.


Kerri Brownlee
Glorious Graphics and Gifts
Mayflower, AR
Mike Simpson
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 10:33 pm
Location: Montrose, CO
Contact:

Re: Another newbie

Post by Mike Simpson »

Hi Keri,

I see you are going to Jeff's class in April. I'll be interested to see how you did and what you thought of it. I was going to do it too but came across one closer to home and for 3 days. Hopefully I can get to one of Jeff's on another date. I'll report back and if I have some thing to show I'll post it. If you go to my website, http://www.mikesimpsonart.com and then click on the "fine art" tab and then on "oils" there is a mirror I did last year. It is pretty simple and plain compared to what the rest of these guys do but it is my start and something to build on. Thanks for the shout and I'll look forward to how you do.
Mike Simpson
picture framemaker and artist
http://www.mikesimpsonart.com
Robare M. Novou
Posts: 424
Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 11:18 am
Location: Milwaukee
Contact:

Re: Another newbie

Post by Robare M. Novou »

WOW! Mike, your watercolors are fantastic! You could teach someone to paint water colors in exchange for someone teaching you how to letter.

When learning how to letter, get a Speedball Lettering Book, lots of basic lettering tips and diagrams, great resource for beginning lettering. Also, learn to draw the letters by hand, before you learn to brush letter them by hand.

No shorts cuts to learning how to letter.

Start with the block (Egyptian) letter style first. As all strokes are the same weight.
Then move on to Thick Thin letters. Those are the Alphabets where the stroke weights vary.
After which you move on to Thick Thin with Serif (Times Roman).
Then learn some fancy script lettering.
Finish it all up with joke stroke (one stroke casual) lettering...aka bread and butter stroke.

Get some One Shot Poster Paint, mineral spirits,...and yesterdays news paper. Turn the news paper sideways and use the column widths as top and bottom lines to paint your practice strokes and alphabets. Learn how to palette your brush and manipulate it on your working surface.

Also, don't use someones left over lettering brush...get a new ones, much better to practice with.

Use a small chalk board and some white chalk when learning how to draw them out.

Watch some of those YouTube Videos on hand lettering.

RMN
Last edited by Robare M. Novou on Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
What's On Your Book Shelf ?

http://www.milwaukeesignworks.com
Susan Banasky
Posts: 52
Joined: Fri May 14, 2004 11:30 pm

Re: Another newbie

Post by Susan Banasky »

Your paintings are very nice....welcome Mike. Happy 25th.
Mike Simpson
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 10:33 pm
Location: Montrose, CO
Contact:

Re: Another newbie

Post by Mike Simpson »

Thanks Robare and Susan. Yes, I'd be willing to swap instruction on painting watercolors for instruction on lettering. That'd be a good trade. And thanks for the tips Robare.
Mike Simpson
picture framemaker and artist
http://www.mikesimpsonart.com
Kerri Lynn Brownlee
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 7:27 pm

Re: Another newbie

Post by Kerri Lynn Brownlee »

Mike, you are light years ahead of me already based on that mirror!

Thanks to Robare also for those hints. I had wondered about the speed ball idea, but wasn't sure if I wanted to spend the money for something that I didn't really need.

Kerri Brownlee
Glorious Graphics and Gifts
Mayflower, Ar
Robare M. Novou
Posts: 424
Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 11:18 am
Location: Milwaukee
Contact:

Re: Another newbie

Post by Robare M. Novou »

There are things in my life that I do not get from a Clown...one being my food....I will starve myself to death before I ever set foot in one of those #@%*Golden Arches.

But then I saw this Clown...er a...Guy, and now I thinks I may be missing out on a Big Mac or two.

At the end of this video...all I could say was, "Why So Serious".

Hey Doug...this ones for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qoyf6st ... re=related

What ever happened to that guy who used to paint signs in a Tuxedo?

And "YES" Kerri...you really do need that book....$2 at a used book store or $5 at the local art store.

RMN
What's On Your Book Shelf ?

http://www.milwaukeesignworks.com
Mike Simpson
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 10:33 pm
Location: Montrose, CO
Contact:

Re: Another newbie

Post by Mike Simpson »

[quote="Kerri Lynn Brownlee"]Mike, you are light years ahead of me already based on that mirror!

Thanks Kerri. It was fun to do and gives me hope. Pretty simple stuff compared to what this bunch does though.
Mike Simpson
picture framemaker and artist
http://www.mikesimpsonart.com
Kent Smith
Posts: 569
Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2004 6:41 pm
Location: Estes Park, CO
Contact:

Re: Another newbie

Post by Kent Smith »

Welcome. Nothing has been planned for this year yet. We try to get together at least every other year, typically Memorial Day or Labor Day, either at my place, Denver or Ft. Collins... or at Joe and Ingrid's in Conifer. I have done a couple jobs in Montrose in the past year and have cousins there as well as a sign friend. Feel free to email me anytime for updates.
Mike Simpson
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 10:33 pm
Location: Montrose, CO
Contact:

Re: Another newbie

Post by Mike Simpson »

Thanks Kent. Do you post any upcoming events here?
Mike Simpson
picture framemaker and artist
http://www.mikesimpsonart.com
Post Reply