Gold Gilding

Gregg Sydney · Post by **Gregg Sydney** » Mon May 21, 2007 2:03 am

Hello to all around this vast world we share in. The spirit and knowledge from so many of you, has me in absolute AWE!!! My name is Gregg, from Sydney Australia. After 11 years of mainstream signwriting and vinyls, it's time to up the ante and start to produce (hopefully) beautiful dimensional painted and gilded signs. The works of Mike Jackson, Gary Anderson and the list goes on inspires me so much. Given that I have been earning an income for over a decade with no formal qualification, tells me that self teaching is a good thing. BUT... there is only so much you can look, see, read, and hear before you really need the knowledge of an "old timer" or craftsman - passionate in their field.

I would love to hear from someone - anyone in Sydney who tends to do gilding, dimensional type signs, monument signs etc. I would love to freely give my time on a casual basis... just to learn the key factors of this area of signage. I run a cnc router, and hand carving tools so work I would be interested in would be carved rather than on glass etc. I only wish I had the desire and passion for this style when John Jordan was with us.

Can ANYONE from Sydney see it within them to teach an new dog old tricks???

Here is my new logo... it's a start but would love the nicest or harshest critique.

PS Mike Jackson... yes it's your background. Hope I have done it justice.

Roderick Treece · Post by **Roderick Treece** » Mon May 21, 2007 5:52 pm

Gregg,
I Like it.The right end of the Colorado could be moved over to the right a bit.How did you make the turned gold in the letter center?

Just a thought here.Scents your name is Sydney and you live in Sydney way arn't you callin it Sydney signs?

Roderick

Gregg Sydney · Post by **Gregg Sydney** » Mon May 21, 2007 6:18 pm

Thanks for the comments Rod. Very much appreciated. I guess I wanted to make the "C" stand out a little more. The "C" and the "R" and alt "A" are a mixture of upper and lower case from Letterhead Fonts, to make it look aestheically correct so to speak. The font is Casablanca.
The original design was done in Casmate (Scanvec) using a Mike Jackson background, then imported into Corel. The gold was done using blends and highlights on a conical basis.
My wife Erin is from the US and one day she and I would possibly like to move there, especially if I just can't get the "training" here in Australia. For me, dimensional just cannot be equalled with vinyl or brush (without a . of a lot of talent... which I don't currently have...lol). Her mom lives in Loveland Co.
I have owned Sydney Signworks for 11 years, and wanted to play on the distinction of the type of signs by using the word "Colorado" as many people here know that it is a US state.
Cheers

Post by **Mike Jackson** » Mon May 21, 2007 9:09 pm

Hi Greg,
Nice design!

You might want to visit and STUDY this site:
http://www.goldreverre.com/

Bruce Jackson is in:
38 Yarra Street
Warrandyte
VIC 3113
Australia

He is one of the premier gilders anywhere.

Interestingly, back when I was in Moore, Oklahoma, there was a Australian named Nick visiting the states. I remember him talking about the apprenticeship program in Australia for signmakers. Maybe others here remember him. From what I recall of his conversations, the program was very thorough. He also told us how the large painted panels were hung on the wall with a slight back angle so any drips would fall to the floor and not down the sign face.

Bruce may teach gilding classes, but at any rate his site is filled with tips and techniques.

Good luck,
Mike Jackson

Kent Smith · Post by **Kent Smith** » Mon May 28, 2007 5:59 pm

Loveland is just 20 miles west of us so stop in to visit when you are here.

There is a school in Sydney, can't remember the name which is buried in my files, which has a sign painting class program and they teach gold leaf gilding as well. I know this because they purchase a set of books periodically and have my videos as well. I think they allow accomplished sign painters to take or audit classes.

Bill Davidson is down in your area too.

Gregg Sydney · Post by **Gregg Sydney** » Mon May 28, 2007 6:24 pm

Hi, Kent, thanks for that. Have searched the member database for "Bill Davidson" to no avail. Maybe you could help further on this. Any info on the school would be great as well.

Erin is returning back to the US in early July, but I have to stay here and take care of things. I will make it one of her priorities to drop in and visit. Her Mom actually works in Greeley. Cheers mate!!!

Kent Smith · Post by **Kent Smith** » Mon May 28, 2007 8:56 pm

I can only find the Southbank Institute of Technology in Brisbane but I know there is one in Sidney. Bill Jackson should know.

Bill Davidson has moved so he may not be much help.