David A Smith - Reverse Glass, Gold Leaf Sign Artist

[@Fancylooks]

I can't believe what I have just seen, this is outstanding art and craftsmanship.

[@jonaskolton9122]

instablaster

[@nonzerosum8943]

Fancy looks...⚡️.R U 🔮ing ¿.....Paolo di califas

[@jerrywhidby5259]

Help your art form survive by providing video tutorials. I know and am aware of much more than I would have been without KZbin. Just as you cherish the book you found, so will future generations appreciate the knowledge you pass on.

[@DavidDuncan]

Thanks this is brilliant, what an artist

[@garyyork6767]

More than just an art. This is Perfection. Mastering this art takes years of devotion

[@rebeccashaw957]

I love the tool that you made for application of the gold leaf. It is so very difficult to work with. Your work is appreciated. I hope you share more videos and explain the chemicals and techniques. I hate that our world is losing all of it's charm. You are fantastic.

[@8motozero8]

I found the music to be nostalgic and mystical and set the proper mood for the painstaking work.

[@emmalouize]

Not only is this absolutely fascinating to see the process, skill and artistic ability of this artist but the cinematography is just wonderful and brings this artists story to life. The whole thing is a work of art! Loved it!

[@nonzerosum8943]

Emma LM, Well stated, now retired I spent 50 years in USA as "self taught " Sign painter. When I first started..... out of a necessity to make a living, I had no comprehension of the range of artistic excellence that was involved. I became determined to become a specialist at gold leaf glass guilding. You're comments was well crafted..he's on the level of a modern day Michaelangelo. I learned glass guilding from a book dedicated to this. However I was aware of many techniques but never received any call for this. It was a fantasy to have my "sign vehicle " look like Mr Smiths. I did develop a method of screen printing on a vertical plane as on office doors. I also used "photo film" as a alternative to "hand cut" silk screen. At first not having money to buy an "arc lamp" I figured a way to use natural ultra violet light from the sun as part of developing process. But resourcefulness is indeed a necessity in this field. Mille Grazie Paolo di Califas

[@andysgarage233]

Eine perfekte Mischung aus Kunst, Liebe und Können...

[@makenchips]

Just seeing this process blows me away the artisanship and craftsmanship combined in this craft that's amazing! And I'm seeing this video now 11 years later surprised I haven't stumbled on this sooner

[@jessesearls1389]

Brilliant. It's a good range of skills too, glass cutting, drafting, painting and gilding.

[@CoxJoxSox]

What an artisan - I love your work - thank you for keeping up this tradition and sharing so freely.

[@cliffbriscoe866]

David A. smith, your work looks so fascinating and rewarding. Take that A+ you will always deserve it.

[@alansm136]

SIR David Smith. Light years ahead in the art.

[@mikestewart9077]

This is the greatest video and greatest artist i have ever seen. I'm astounded.

[@havelovewilltravel777]

What an Absolutely fascinating trade. Lovely workmanship.

[@thomasutley]

Amazing work on BOTH sides of the camera. Beautiful craft, and beautiful filmmaking to bring it to us. Thank you!

[@1369buddy]

I'm almost speechless. I'm familiar with some of the techniques, but this level of artistry, is as perfect as I've seen

[@Canigetanawwwwyyyyeeeah]

As a tattoo artist. I've admired this man for years. just hones the craft more and more everytime I see a piece from him. I can perhaps say this for all of us. Thanks Danny for bringing him to the screen. David's talent and skill is unparalleled

[@1-shotslinger108]

This guy is top of the mark in the sign trade!

[@jamesknapp3100]

+1-Shot slinger As we others in the field would say: "Over The Top." Ya 'Love-It-When-Ya-See-It'. . . The Guy's A Master!

[@wellphoto3d]

A work that has the Soul of the Artist, thank you for this documentary

[@tamstar2145]

Amazing. I wish I had learned this craft. Most beautiful artform.❤

[@thisisjackcole]

Confident this is the best film on signwriting that I will ever see. Amazing work.

[@512banana1]

What an eye opener! What an education!

[@Jaylasplenty]

Love it all. Especially that he made that gold leaf tool. I like how he rubs his hair with it so it can adhere to the bristles. Artistic swagger right there.

[@geoffjones5392]

an absolute pleasure to watch a truly great tradesman

[@jimsim3]

That was great, and nicely made. Both film and glass gilding and etching. David I hope it does continue because it looks great on the wall. Very classily. I would have loved to have seen more of the art of painting glass at the beginning of film, but still It is what it is. and a good job Moggy looks great

[@SickSickCix]

I was first introduced to Mr. Smith's work via the still imagery of instagram. It gave me goose-bumps to finally see his work in motion. I hope his craft lives on where other highly technical, culture-rich art forms sadly have not. Thank you for developing and sharing this video.

[@nonzerosum8943]

Arsenal I agree about "artform lives on " I'm now retired after 50 years in the Sign business. I learned gold leaf glass guilding mostly from a very comprehensive book dedicated to gold work, including surface guilding and had another on glue chipping process. I was considered a "gold leaf specialist " by other sign companies in my area and most of my business involved subcontract work. ( Shop owners wanted to go along and... "watch" my gold leaf & silk screen back up system ....or send another worker" along and I would be honest and say im not giving lessons, implying I would be creating competition and lose their business..most understood. I had my own business called D'Oro Designs... but worked as general sign painter for 4 or five sign shops from time to time. I developed my own method for silk screen gold leaf "backup " on a vertical substrate such as office doors. Using a blue or green "photo-film" required an arc lamp in developing process but I found by using natural UV light from the sun very adequate for a small individual shop as mine. (1st stage) in developing the film..however I made a system using opaque letters or design to shiny acetate carrying sheet, then put my own "rigged" setup in the sun for 90 seconds then immediately covered exposed film . (2nd stage)...took inside my shop and 2nd stage was put exposed film in a hydrogen peroxide solution ( I used a 4 part distilled water to 1part hydrogen peroxide solution in a flat tray slightly washed film by slightly moving solution back & forth for another 90 seconds in developing photo film (3rd stage.) then transferred film to a flat piece of plexiglass and using cold water washed out the developed design/ office door name ... ( 4th stage) then placed screen precisely in center of screen and usingold newspaper blotted the film into screen fabric..( * a computer cut silk screen film is also available ) then adhere film to screen ) *I had a special silk screen frame for standard office doors that was "precisely" 30" wide and I drew a straight horizontal line using a waterproof black ball point pen measuring about 12" down inside frame on fabric . Then made precise cent mark all to indicate as precisely possible where to adhere developed photo/ or photo with hand or computer cut lettering or design such as logos etc ***MANY OTHER STEPS ARE REQUIRED AND ANY THUMBS UP LEFT I. WILL TYPE THEM OUT HERE, BUT IT WOULD BETTER IF SOMEONE HAS A SILK SCREEN AND GOLD LEAF ON INSIDE OF GLASS OFFICE DOOR.,VIDEO IS AVIALABLE. LOOK UP......YOU-TUBE .... GOLD LEAF LETTERING SILK SCREEN PRINTING..however is not too comprehensive and isn't much of a lesson with annoying background tin pan alley piano..I WASN'T ABLE TO LOCATE A GOOD TUTORIAL ON REVERSE SILK SCREEN PRINTING ON GLASS GUILDING..

[@blacknight1003]

You, sir are a true artist and craftsman. What fabulous work you do. Congratulations. How have you amassed such knowledge for a young man?

[@mortenhansen6377]

i've seen this video 102.501 times now! This is just art at its very very finest. And with that said. I was a new one born for SURE! I have to try this out. Just amazing amazing work! And if it will take me a lifetime to do one good sign, let it be it! Let me die happy! The results this man makes is just.... Salvador Dali would BUY this man a beer you know!

[@rablount]

Absolutely incredible.....❤️

[@threeeyedfish4363]

It is wonderful fine high art. Thank you, David. You deserve so many more likes!

[@JohnBinkley2112]

I'm in awe. That is some of the best artwork I've ever seen. Bravo David

[@marcosmarques9228]

wau!!! never seen nothing to compare, it's fantastic!!!

[@cooljeff461990]

humans with fine art and capability is truly amazing!

[@FuryVoxx77]

Simply amazing !!! TOP WORK :)

[@beverlyaten1775]

Amazing! I love the quality and artistry from the UK. So much has been and is being lost. Preserving the old and incorporating the new is wonderful.

[@JakobLarsen]

This is fantastic! I'm out of words... WOW! He's a real artist and craftsman to his fingertips... I'm a sign writer my self and I have tried some of these techniques... But this is WAY out of my league :-)

[@The_sysop]

I assisted a fantastic stained glass artist for a summer when I was a teenager so I understand a little how difficult it can be to work with glass. Mr Smith is a master craftsman for sure.

[@deejaydoubleyou1966]

What a craftsman! Great film. I have a old pub door in my kitchen with SNUG engraved in it in this style, I liked it before, but I love it now I know how it was done!

[@GypsieT17]

absolutely stunning what a craft to be as skilled and talented as this... is an absolute pleasure to watch, now I know who's making the glassware for my gypsy bowtop wagon 🎨💎💯👍👌💕

[@john-mbellamy9780]

This has to be one of the most enjoyable videos i've watched in awhile. Id love to learn from you.

[@youvegotmysong]

This is the greatest KZbin video ever.Great Job Danny! Amazing. Reminds me of a documentary I once saw on Jerry Brown (Potter from Alabama, US). Your editing is beautiful, as is David A Smith's work.

[@JohnMartinez-sm1sk]

Great video. You do amazing work. Your a great craftsman.

[@BenEliasThanks]

Gorgeous film, really nicely done

[@slitten33]

Nice filming, Danny! You really put us next to David with this video. Like watching this film is the closest I’ll ever come to this level of craftsmanship. David, you’re so good at what you do that it inspires me to find my own talent.

[@giornogillespie5755]

Superb work like nothing else I've seen before! my great grandfather was a sign writer, which is where I found my appreciation for such artistry.

[@jimsfunbirdhunting]

loved this..great work :)

[@russianbot1420]

Fabulous work

[@Lesleychill]

So beautiful!

[@OnSeeing]

You're an INSPIRATION! Lovely,simply lovely.

[@cloudnineoes]

What a Craftsman. Brilliant.

[@RobbyJHope]

Absolutely incredible work David!

[@miloligons25]

superb craftsmanship.

[@TheNewThrone]

Here from john Mayer. David designed his album cover for born and raised and did a few glass pieces for john and they are beautiful he is really talented. Keep up the great work

[@RobRed2007]

Absolutely fascinating, would love to spend some time learning this trade. i have done water gilding on frames and furniture, and so appreciate the dedication to a craft. Thanks for sharing this with me.

[@chalk6761]

Perfection!!.....an inspiration to me...love the Moggy Minor aswell.

[@andrewwake8607]

Well all I can say Is that was not long enough. Talented gentlemen Indeed.

[@ghayath2011]

So beautiful. I love it

[@hori_ink82]

Wow that Morri minor woody is such a nice work vehicle 😱

[@hectorgabrielfrias9548]

Felicitaciones !!! Un trabajo increíble, muy bueno

[@joshjardim]

i want to learn everything you know. this was absolutely unbelievable!!

[@jimmedway]

excellent film, excellent subject - very impressive!

[@JourneyGrace]

truly awe-inspiring !!

[@etroudoudou]

Fantastic works. Mersmerizing really ...

[@donput2246]

I wish i could learn this. I do in "modern" sign industry and it is boring. I want to become artist of making signs.

[@noeldyne389]

Breath taking skill. I'm sure that David is not from this World. Where does he find the time ? LOVE the sign written Traveller ❤️

[@GokhanAydin]

great work!

[@mohammedshifaazdon3638]

It is really beautiful love learn more

[@585ronin]

This is so awesome the craftsmanship is on a whole new dimension. I know he cutting and grinding the glass the old way but isn't there a safe easier way to get the same results.

[@thecruiser2010]

absolutely incredible

[@SirPumpkinhead]

Beautiful, wondrous work! :D

[@ricksimmons2098]

BLOODY AMAZING!!!!!

[@ХризантемаБелая-ц6р]

So cool!!

[@peterstevens7109]

wow...what a workshop!! this guy actually invented his own gilders tip " smiths tip " I am an "old school" signwriter and can tell you..he is the real deal!!

[@davidasmithreverseglassgil9868]

Thank you.

[@ashleylovesjill]

Honestly I would love to learn how to do this, it looks amazing!

[@kurtveldeman9291]

I'm truly astonished! I would sell my house to quit my job and learn this awesome art. Such skills!

[@johankotze3573]

A true artist!

[@kathleendenson7983]

Absolutely Beautiful!

[@dowdowcd]

He is regarded as the best in the world (and probably aware he is) and there isn’t a shred of pretense and ego. Much unlike many signwriters on Instagram and such.

[@danielzavala2691]

You ate atrue master of your craft.

[@pushingbus1]

Wow!!!!!!!! No words

[@keith9033]

AMAZING

[@modelleg]

BRILLIANT!

[@GAPSBBIZ]

Would love to have you design my next best selling album cover ....Well some day. Nice work!

[@1BigMakka]

What an amazing chap! Total respect for this guy. Especially loved his work for John Mayer's album... the sound track for this was also great. Would love to know what the songs were.

[@omzaes]

AMAZING!!!

[@LynetteChubb]

Blown away by the skill & talent. These days we do not value these anymore. Not enough anyway. WOW.

[@TheDavidGram]

amazing!

[@JunkWorkshop]

I'm amazed.

[@YoYoLiLi]

so good

[@sathishisaac]

nice video!

[@IvorKellock]

fascinating - really interesting - tx for sharing ;-)

[@Musicmansteve]

What can I say ? FANTASTIC

[@YOFAT]

its the first time i see this kind of art!! im really @_@

[@dougg1075]

Very cool

[@Thalo3]

Awesome work. I'm booking a flight. Dave Herzfeld

[@sikchopper4770]

How would one go about learning the trade . I have some experience in gold/silver leafing but I would love to learn everything. You are and amazing artist.

[@waynemansfield]

WOW

[@Billie7563]

Amazing!

[@lafarms]

Could someone tell me what he lay under the glass in the kiln when he curved the flat sheet? A white thin material, looked like parchment paper but could not have been. Absolutely beautiful.

[@MichelleMcRAE10071972]

awesome