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Fading painted signs with Sam Roberts

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Sign Making

Painting and sign making techniques.

Hand painted counter with the words, "Who let the dogs in...who...who...who?"

The International Walldog Mural & Sign Art Museum

Walldog is the nickname given to those that once roamed the USA painting signs and slogans on brick walls, roadside barns and any other surface … Read more

Categories Sign Destinations, Sign Making, Signs in Media
Signpainter applying red paint to coca cola sign on a white wall

Salisbury Ghost Sign Restoration Project

The Salisbury Ghost Sign Restoration Project is an initiative of three enthusiasts in North Carolina. They have recently unveiled their first two restorations, both for … Read more

Categories Sign Folk, Sign Initiatives, Sign Making, Sign Preservation
Screen shot of hand painted sign by Derek McDonald of Golden West Sign Arts

Derek McDonald film and interview

Another signpainter profiled on film, this time Derek McDonald of Golden West Sign Arts, one of the craftsman who worked on this year’s ‘Declaration of … Read more

Categories Sign Folk, Sign Making, Signs in Media
A hand painted sign by Dan Madsen of Dusty Signs

Dusty Signs doing it the old way in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Lovely video about Dusty Signs‘ Dan Madsen, picked up on Typedeck where there is more information and a gallery of Dan’s images. Dan also showcases … Read more

Categories Sign Folk, Sign Making, Signs in Media
Sign Painters book cover by Ira Coyne

Sign Painters book cover painted by Ira Coyne

The Signpainter Movie project have just released this cover design for the book to accompany the film. Hand painted by Ira Coyne (featured previously here) … Read more

Categories Sign Folk, Sign Making, Signs in Media
Horse heads cave painting from the Chauvet cave Ardèche

The origins of painting on walls

I’ve become increasingly intrigued by the origins of painting on walls, and the evolution of the form over time, up to the current vogue for … Read more

Categories Sign Making, Signs in Media
Photo of newly painted sign on Great Western Road, London, W9

Fuller, Smith & Turner: Chiswick Ales & Stouts

This new hand painted sign on the building housing the Union Tavern was sent to me by regular correspondent Ross Corben.  It is advertising the … Read more

Categories Inspired by Signs, Sign Making
Still from a film by Marco Puccini

Flamboyant calligraphy from Luca Barcellona & Francesca Biasetton

In a slight departure from painted lettering here is a film by Marco Puccini showcasing some flamboyant examples of inked lettering using a variety of … Read more

Categories Sign Making, Signs in Media
Jack Daniel's Declaration of Independence poster

Declarations of Independence campaign from Jack Daniel’s

Today is Independence Day in the USA.  Last year, to celebrate, Jack Daniel’s worked with letter-press experts Yee-Haw Industries and the team at Colossal Media … Read more

Categories Sign Folk, Sign Making, Signs in Media
Company emblem for Chicago Sign Company

Signwriter Bruce Buckley profiled in 2007 Signcraft magazine

This article about signwriter Bruce Buckley of the Chicago Sign Company is worth a read.  (Thanks Andrew Cordani for this link to this page which … Read more

Categories Sign Folk, Sign Making, Signs in Media
Ira Coyne Handpainted Spirit Board

Spirit (Ouija) Board lettering from Ira Coyne

This is one of a collection of brightly coloured Ouija boards from Ira Coyne on Faythe Levine’s blog.  It appears that even spirits can swear … Read more

Categories Sign Folk, Sign Making
Screen shot from signpainting film Keepers of the Craft

Keepers of the Craft film profiles Starr Studios in Dallas

Also, forthcoming, are the Signpainter Movie and another called Faded Paint. I really enjoy these films and the things I learn from them.  They evidence … Read more

Categories Sign Folk, Sign Making, Signs in Media
David Smith's Car

Film director Danny Cooke profiles David A Smith, an artist and master craftsman of exceptional talent

This fantastic short documentary by Danny Cooke pays homage to the extraordinary work of David A Smith who plies his trade in Torquay on the Devon … Read more

Categories Sign Folk, Sign Making, Signs in Media
Larkin Trail hand painted sign from United Creatives

‘Graphic Design for Cities’, Where Design Meets Craft and More with United Creatives Manchester

This talk at the Sign Design Society on 7th June looks fascinating, check out some of the projects from United Creatives, home of the speaker … Read more

Categories Sign Making

Short film about Syracuse’s ‘Love Letter’

Via the Noon-Gun blog I came across this short film by Signpainter Movie directors Faythe Levine and Sam Macon.  It is part of the ‘Love Letter … Read more

Categories Sign Folk, Sign Making, Signs in Media
Blenheim Centre Fashion House

Penge Fashion House Considers Hand-Painted Signage Options

Anyone know if this and/or this have been followed through to execution?

Categories Inspired by Signs, Sign Making
Simple hand lettering film from British Pathe

Is this the easiest hand lettering technique possible?

Geraldine discovered this lovely little film from British Pathe, a ‘how to’ guide for a simple block lettering form.  It even doubles as a secret … Read more

Categories Sign Making, Signs in Media

A Clever Twist on Hand-Made/Painted Lettering

This fascinating project explores the relationships between upper and lower case letters, and the transitions between them, using hands and paint.  (Found via Creative Review.)

Categories Sign Making
Overall Murals hand painted advertising work in progress

Overall Murals, a New NYC Sign Painting Company

I’ve just discovered this company producing hand painted wall advertising in New York via the film below. More signwriters here.

Categories Sign Making

April and the fascinating world of fresco

A headline that started “Where there’s a wall” led me to this page (fittingly for today’s date the image is called ‘April’) and subsequently to … Read more

Categories Sign Making, Signs in Media

Brilliant new website: Traditional Sign Maker Magazine

Via the Signpainter Movie I came across this facinating site which profiles signwriters and has already introduced me to the beautiful world of Filete Porteño in … Read more

Categories Sign Folk, Sign Making

Hand painted wall signs and murals from Hungary

József László is an artist in Budapest, Hungary, specialising in photo-real hand painted advertising, other hand painted wall advertising and murals.  His work impressed me … Read more

Categories Sign Folk, Sign Making

Rick Janzen of Streamline Studios creates a ‘ghostsign’ from scratch

Photos: Rick Janzen This photo essay shows the various stages in recreating the effect of a ghostsign using water-based paints (the rest of the blog … Read more

Categories Inspired by Signs, Sign Folk, Sign Making

Faded Paint: Trailer for forthcoming signpainting documentary

The Colossal Media Facebook page recently alerted me to this trailer (see below) uploaded by Rick Janzen about a film he’s making about the declining art and craft of signwriting. … Read more

Categories Sign Folk, Sign Making, Signs in Media
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Welcome

Hi, I'm Sam. I hope you enjoy learning about fading painted signs on this site. Please get in touch (sam@ghostsigns.co.uk) with discoveries and questions.

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