Signwriting Part 1

As mentioned before for those interested in signwriting, here is a rather long video on the very basics of getting started.
Links as mentioned:
David Jackson "The Brushman", profile.php?...
Amazon search for Chinagraph pencils:
Search "China Markers" there are many buying options for you there.

[@user-hb8be5wb4q]

I have learned a lot watching this vlog. Thanks for taking the time to make, post and share with us. I’m going to subscribe to your channel and even at 77 I hope to put into practice and use your lessons. THANK YOU for giving me the courage to try my hand at sign lettering. I have never had the patience before now, and I’m not so nervous as before. Again, much thanks for this vlog!!!

[@HepcatHarley]

Thank you and happy practicing :)

[@1sissaree]

Thank you for sharing this!! I am a beginner so your talent is appreciated!!

[@charliekingpin8568]

Hi Well that was very good very interesting and the music was good to, many thanks

[@chrisbellis4762]

Thank you for sharing this It was very instructive, and beautifully filmed. It was all good but the tip about the baked bean tin paint holder was fantastic and oh so useful. Thank you once again and looking forward to part two Regards Chris

[@Jezz_Mcfly]

Oh wow ! Brilliant - that's the type style I have been wanting to see 👏 Masterfully done - Thanks ✌

[@memofrf]

Brave and fantastic. Painted graffiti for thirty odd years and never attempted that. Cheers fella.

[@StuartLowPhotography]

Hello from a fellow signwriter. This was so good to watch and brought back a lot of memories. I used to write coal & haulage lorries, bikes and gold leafing shop windows. It's been a while but I remember chalking up lorry doors and bonnets in cold garages in the middle of winter . The chiselled brush end brought bac a load of memories too!

[@HepcatHarley]

Winter's could be brutal having to work outside lol

[@VektorHaus]

This was amazing content. I’m looking forward to part 2.

[@comsigninc]

Great job. I enjoy doing the casual style of lettering. A good brush sure makes a difference.

[@FASIGMAN]

Thank you for the inspiration from one sign writer to another Nice to hear all the sign writing terminology/talk trade names and stuff not heard that for a long time............I have been thinking about doing this myself (youtube) showing people computers and vinyl killed most of my business proper old school hand lettering jobs became scarce I never got into the vinyl originally I was a bit of a snob about it. I did give in eventually I had to. Thanks again good luck.

[@HepcatHarley]

Thanks Frankie, I cut out the bit about the transition to vinyls as the video was too long and boring for some. I swapped over to computers and plotters in the mid 90's having seen how the brush work was dropping off. Always kinda kept my hand in though :)

[@hobbytime2098]

Not done any signwriting for years did quit a few pub signs back in the day but every one went to printed ones now find it very relaxing to to please do more loved doing old English my self took quite abit to master though proper job

[@HepcatHarley]

I used to avoid Old English like the plague, takes too long :)

[@Banditmanuk]

Great skills. Carol was enjoying watching, she loves doing her Calligraphy when not out riding.

[@HepcatHarley]

I used to do Calligraphy too, don't know why I stopped really, it is so relaxing to do. :)

[@slingerland68]

Love the tin tip , efficiency in motion :)

[@QuickBikes]

That is one of the BEST tutorials I think I've ever seen your Lordship... Very relaxed, easy to follow, great explanations and VERY inspiring. You have a proper old school skill and should do more of this kinda stuff sir. I'd watch all of em.... Carry on.... 😁👍

[@HepcatHarley]

Why thank you so much, I will try to do more but it is like work for me lol

[@QuickBikes]

@@HepcatHarley I get the work thing I do... but you're REALLY good at this. I enjoyed it loads as its nice to see a fella who's good at something show it off a little without getting big headed and I almost believe I could do something similar. You should SOOOOOO cone out of retirement 🤣😂😅 One day I'd love to comission your services fella, I mean Your honour, your Lordship... Sir in general....

[@Richie65afc]

You make that look so easy and some good music to go with it as well.

[@HepcatHarley]

Thanks Rich, can't beat a bit of Rockabilly :)

[@scottsnet]

Thanks for the great video! And I really like the shape of the S.

[@ivorstead1314]

Most enjoyable, thank you.

[@Shinysideup]

Proper interesting stuff. Enjoyed that thank you.

[@HepcatHarley]

Thanks Ian :)

[@stewartentwiistle952]

Excellent..... more please

[@lenniewood1770]

Good day Ian thanks for showing us mere peasant how to do the old art of sign writing I have done a little myself on a old Bowtop caravan but never done letters that’s a fine art and I will be watching with a keen eye something I would like to do great skills Ian

[@HepcatHarley]

I've done a few of them lo' caravans with coachlines, thanks :)

[@paulbeckwith5981]

What a great tutorial, thanks for taking the time to make and share it

[@HepcatHarley]

Thank you Paul :)

[@apiratetew8476]

Trying to pick up the skills and having a tough go at trying to figure out my mixing for proper flow, appreciate your video

[@HepcatHarley]

Thanks, yes you need the paint to smoothly run off your stirrer, that'll give good traction to the board and good distance with your strokes. Too thin and your brush will skid around, too thick and your letter edges will be jittery and swollen. Good luck :)

[@mortenhansen3455]

Beautiful letters! I've started doing a thing. I lay out the left side of letter with a thick brush and the finish of the right side with a very thin one. It's gives it a very funny balance. You should try it. It opens up whole new doors, in my opinion. I wish you a good Sunday. Thank you for the upload.

[@HepcatHarley]

Indeed I do that too, just requires less pressure with the same brush. Happy practicing :)

[@mortenhansen3455]

@@HepcatHarleyI have many sizes though. So.. well, i like using all of the brush, just the way I've progressed I found it easier. And then for hairlines I have a wizard scroller brush (NICE one). With that said. Do you know ANYwhere, to buy plastic, 100% tight closed canisters for one-shot paint? 'Cause there's a lot of waste paint by always having to remove 1% hardened layer of paint, when opening the cans..

[@alansm136]

Superb demonstration. Hats off to you.

[@HepcatHarley]

Thanks Alan :)

[@emmanueloluwafisayomi7778]

I need more

[@ronfuller9503]

Greetings from Florida Very informative, true professional Thanks for sharing My best to her Ladyship, haven’t seen her in a while, hope she is well

[@HepcatHarley]

Hi Ron, thanks she's fine now thanks, should be helping me with her Enfield soon :)

[@learn2rideVIDEOS]

👓😂😂😂 Awesome stuff mate.

[@Lightning77305]

I have an old cue cut to length, very comfortable to use with the slight taper.

[@HepcatHarley]

Whatever works for you :)

[@Lightning77305]

@@HepcatHarley 🙂👍

[@tamberp]

The really nice thing about hand-painted lettering -- to me -- is, if it's not perfect and/or has little mistakes in it, that's just *character*! That's what you want to see, the human touch! If it was meant to be perfect, it'd have been printed on vinyl or something (...and then probably stuck on wonky anyway.)

[@HepcatHarley]

Spot on, I remember in the 1980's etc when a local signwritten van went by you could tell who hav written it just by the hand lettering styles.

[@garry9999]

Love the rock a billy

[@Womanwolfrider]

Loving the dark art of bean tin opening ;)

[@HepcatHarley]

A highly technical process :D

[@johnmorgan5495]

Recommended signwriters diet for smooth work, Baked Beans and Ambrosia Rice.

[@Mikefngarage]

Well I use dixie cups LOVE the soup can with the lid as a pallet Great Idea. BUT........they are making them different now with the pull tab lets see if they stop making those kind.

[@HepcatHarley]

Yes it's only certain products that are using the pull tabs at the moment.

[@AGardenShed]

It’s amazing to watch. I’d be terrible at it. Thinking of which do you ever come across many left handed sign writers?

[@HepcatHarley]

Yes there are many left handers and they usually make great signwriters :)

[@AGardenShed]

@@HepcatHarley that’s surprising cos most left handers hand writing is appalling 😂😂. Lefties for the win!!

[@soniaatwal1115]

Thanks for the video! What material are you painting on please?

[@HepcatHarley]

Hi, it’s an aluminium composite better known as Dibond or Dilite

[@Viper6-MotoVlogger]

Awesome 👍

[@HepcatHarley]

Cheers mate 🤓

[@neilholmes8984]

Brill stuff Ian, you are a master.👍 just one problem……. I’m a left ukker! 🤦🏻🤪😁

[@HepcatHarley]

That has its disadvantages and advantages :)

[@HippoDrones]

This is really interesting Ian, being a lefty, I wonder how many leftys do this, does the rest work the other way round? I struggle with just writing neatly, I'd have no hope at this, quite a talent you have! :-)

[@HepcatHarley]

There's many lefties do this, you just have to watch where you put your mahl stick, ie not in the wet paint lol

[@HippoDrones]

@@HepcatHarley I can imagine that being a pain

[@stevekafka]

One of the Lefty Pro Sign Guys is my close friend John Hannukaine. We have worked lots of Goldwing Motorcycle Shows together,He is amazing to work with.

[@deannak1841]

Looking for more info on the brushes, and which would be best for sign painting on glass

[@HepcatHarley]

visit stonehouses.co.uk there's loads of info on there and lots of paint/brush choices

[@deannak1841]

@@HepcatHarley thank you, I have a million brushes already, for watercolor, acrylic, oil etc etc, so I didn't know are the best ones synthetic, taklon, blue squirrel, goat etc etc, what an I looking for tapered point, square... Lol there's just so much I don't know, so Thank you very much

[@HepcatHarley]

@@deannak1841 I'd start off with just getting a No4 & No6 Series 1315 Sable Chisel Writers, Long Length.

[@deannak1841]

@@HepcatHarley didn’t expect you to respond again, though I really truly appreciate it. That is super helpful

[@michael1061]

Interesting your Lordship . You know your stuff .

[@HepcatHarley]

Good morning Sir Michael, memory isn't what it used to be lol

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

Great video . I’m a beginner so appreciate the effort you put into the videos. Can I ask what happens when someone makes a mistake? I keep messing up halfway through a word and no idea how to fix things without scrapping everything and starting again.

[@HepcatHarley]

Thank you, just wipe the mistake off with white spirit and if it affects the letter spacing after the mistake wipe the following text off too.

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

@@HepcatHarley that’s a great help. Thanks !

[@CarlWinter-oy8uf]

This is seriously advanced technique ------NOT PART ONE but part 20 !

[@konasound9855]

Your handiwork looks great. Bro I am a Bangladeshi I have 10 years of experience as a sign writer. I am in 3D. neon sign letter sign I can work on painting. Can I work in America, can I do any writing work by hand. Can you help me? I will be happy if you tell me

[@HepcatHarley]

Hi my friend, I'm in the UK and retired from working now so can't teach but good luck from me :)

[@suckone1740]

Waiting to part2

[@HepcatHarley]

Sorry for the long wait, as soon as I get the time I will do more :)

[@suckone1740]

@@HepcatHarley yes! I can wait for it!!

[@PRB1098]

Mornin' yer Lordship 👍

[@HepcatHarley]

Good morning to you Sir :)

[@seraphinelouis1111]

Can you use a stick this for water color lettering?

[@HepcatHarley]

Yes you can use a stick for anything, it's only a rest for your hand that's all.

[@seraphinelouis1111]

@@HepcatHarley but I’m working on a much smaller scale. Do they make the mahl sticks a lot smaller?

[@2wheelswideCoUk]

Nice one 😁

[@HepcatHarley]

Bloody eck!! where did you pop up from? lol Great to hear from you mate, so miss your vlogs :)

[@2wheelswideCoUk]

@@HepcatHarley Ha ha. I've been lurking lol. Had the bike stolen but then found it and rebuilt it again so back out there again. Changed jobs too so it's been a weird couple of years. Hope you are well mate 👍

[@dextertancogo4786]

What we call that stick?

[@HepcatHarley]

Call it what you want but it's a Mahl stick.

[@cathedralImages]

What type of brush ? Series?

[@HepcatHarley]

I mention the brushes at the start of the video, I used a chisel Wright's of Lymm sable 1315 series

[@cathedralImages]

@@HepcatHarley Good man thank you...any more videos in the pipeline ?

[@georgestewart1325]

Great skill my brain 🧠 and hands just don't communicate to that level..

[@HepcatHarley]

With me I open my gob and all the wrong words come out lol

[@Cyanidebabe]

Not sure I’d have the patience!

[@HepcatHarley]

Yes it's something you have to be really interested in doing :)

[@Cyanidebabe]

Yup, loved using a calligraphy pen to do gothic plate but with a brush eek.

[@davidmantooth1285]

I think you missed the lowercase k.

[@HepcatHarley]

Well Spotted, I did mention it in the video text though so no cigar just yet for you lol

[@davidmantooth1285]

Yes I see now it was in the text.

[@aldrinariaga3525]

D E F G almost touching each other he never controlled the spacing.

[@HepcatHarley]

They are touching...on purpose!

[@CarlWinter-oy8uf]

Thought this lesson was for beginners ?

[@attakwasi1062]

Hi good morning

[@eddiemizen3703]

I say sir,Hines tins please 🤣

[@HepcatHarley]

It's Heinz silly boy lol

[@eddiemizen3703]

Haven't got me testicals on ,o spectacle on me lord 🧐

[@jamesbailey3821]

Missing a foocin K 😅

[@HepcatHarley]

I shouldn't have gone to lunch....I'm too old for alphabets and maffmatics :D

[@jeffreycroteau3544]

"A" looks so small. Others keep growing.

[@CarlWinter-oy8uf]

Whats all this FREEHAND style -?-not everyone has 40 yrs experience in freehand signwriting ==only for experts --NOT for beginners !

[@apiratetew8476]

Trying to pick up the skills and having a tough go at trying to figure out my mixing for proper flow, appreciate your video