Traditional Signwriting.

[Southern Star]

I'm wondering if anybody has signwritten their own boat in traditional style, particularly if they had never tried it before, if they have any photos, if they could say how long it took to do, how much it cost to do and if they had any other general advice, do's or don'ts etc.

[adam1uk]

My advice would be to try it on something else before tackling your boat. You might find it's not as easy as the really good signwriters make it look.

[Ray T]

Phil Speight of this parish sells sign writing Cd's.

 

http://www.canaljunction.com/philspeight/

Edited October 4, 2014 by Ray T

[Kwacker]

John Barnard runs courses at Debdale (with Phil Speight I believe)

http://www.johnbarnard.biz/painting-school/

[Kendal]

My advice, unless you are very very adept at painting, would be to use a professional signwriter. By the time you invest in all the paint, brushes etc it's really not that much more expensive for a professional job, and a lot less hassle.

 

Dave Moore (also of this parish) did a superb job of ours a couple of months ago for a very reasonable sum.

 

 

Edit to add: Having said that you may want the pleasure and satisfaction of knowing you 'did it yourself', in which case ignore everything I have said

Edited October 3, 2014 by Kendal

[mark99]

I've just passed Dave on the GUC and stopped for a chat whilst he was lettering Bens GUCCC butty.

 

You can't go wrong with Dave and for what he charged me for some recent work It's a steal.

 

I get people coming up all the time looking/commenting at his work.

Edited October 3, 2014 by mark99

[frangar]

I too would recommend Dave Moore….as others have said its worth it for all the nice things people say about it!

 

Cheers

 

Gareth

[junior]

I've not had Dave do signwrighting for me but having had him do some other stuff that was fantastic quality and wouldn't hesitate to recommend him and use him when I next need signwrighting doing.

[Woodstock]

We were really pleased with ours by Jan Deuchar who was local to us at the time and it was less than expected

 

http://www.deuchars.org.uk/janspage.htm

[David Schweizer]

My advice is get a proffessional to do it, it doesn't cost very much, and it will enhance the appearance of your boat, Amateur jobs tend to look exactly that, and will detract from the appearance of the boat.

 

I have only ever seen two boats signwritten by the owners and which were of an acceptable standard, One was done by a young woman who was very artistic, and the other was by a man who came from a circus background and had many years experiece of decorating Showmans Vans,

Edited October 3, 2014 by David Schweizer

[Richard T]

We use Jon Knight of Letterknight - he was very good. If you want to contact him use his phone not e-mail.http://www.letterknight.com/

[dave moore]

Hi all

 

I'm just back home from lettering Ben's butty, a job that went amazingly well for a change. To defeat Sod's Law is a rare occurrence!

 

To the OP.....it's entirely your call, but please bear in mind that there are so many specialities and subtleties in the process that, with respect, you will not be aware of. I'm not bidding for your job, but having taught many students the basics on my 2 day lettering courses, only 2 are now working professionally and both had art/graphic backgrounds. To equip yourself with the right paint and brushes, along with tape, wax pencils etc will leave little change out of at least £80. To do the job on your pontoon mooring would be much more difficult than in a covered dock and at this time of the year the weather is likely to be less than helpful. Bear in mind too that a cabin side is a very public space, your inexperience is bound to show through! If you are determined to do the job yourself, then get a board, paint it up in your chosen background colour and practise, practise, practise!!

 

I've seen many attempts by owners or their artistic friends, none of which have the wow factor. If you decide to proceed, I'll advise, but I also agree with the caveats posted by others.

 

Confession time...I have a long term fascination with artics, which goes back years when a one time friend started driving. I'm too old now to learn, though I have spent several hours off road with them learning the basics. Would you trust me to back yours into a tight bay? I'd love to have the skills..... But I dont!

 

Cheers

 

Dave

[Southern Star]

My advice is get a proffessional to do it, it doesn't cost very much, and it will enhance the appearance of your boat, Amateur jobs tend to look exactly that, and will detract from the appearance of the boat.

 

I have only ever seen two boats signwritten by the owners and which were of an acceptable standard, One was done by a young woman who was very artistic, and the other was by a man who came from a circus background and had many years experiece of decorating Showmans Vans,

I appreciate what you are saying, Desiree's signwriting was applied by a previous owner, and while it is good, it isn't anywhere near the standard of professional signwriters.

 

 

It's also a little tired and faded, and I was thinking of re-doing it in cream, following the original pattern, with the blocking in two shades of red, and the blocking measured rather than being done freehand. I think I could make it look a little better, plus it's something I would enjoy doing anyway. So I would still appreciate advice from those who have "had a go".

 

Agree about Dave Moore's work though, absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful talent that man has. One day, maybe, I would like to get Desiree treated to a professional re-paint and signwriting job, but that will be a fair few years away. Until then, I'm happy to have a go myself.

 

Also looked at the link to the DVD set, will definitely be getting that put on my Xmas present wish list.

[dave moore]

Thanks for the kind comments about my work, to the OP and others.

 

I think your lettering may be the work of a student of mine who worked in the area. I won't say more than that, but to be honest he was working way out of his comfort zone. Your lettering has many of his hallmarks. Shading is always something I do freehand, be aware that any attempt at measuring is likely to give the finished work a stiff, lifeless character. " if it looks right, it is right" was the first bit of advice I got in my signwriting training many years ago....how true!

 

Dave

[Cloudinspector]

Another vote for Dave Moore. We recently bought a boat adorned with his work and I'm astounded by the number of complementary comments we've received. Both from people who recognise his work and from appreciative passers by.

[mark99]

Here is Dave working on Bens GUCCC butty Bodmin on Friday.

 

 

 

And this is Daves work on our boat moored in Berhampstead Berkhamstead Berkhampsted Berko on Wednesday.

 

[patty-ann]

I couldn't have achieved the professional look of my name on my boat...sorry dunno how to post pics,,me and technology aliens in another time/space dimension..but worth every penny spent.

[Cloudinspector]

Here is Dave working on Bens GUCCC butty Bodmin on Friday.

 

 

 

And this is Daves work on our boat moored in Berhampstead Berkhamstead Berkhampsted Berko on Wednesday.

 

lovely boat :-))

[ChimneyChain]

Another vote for Dave Moore, he added the final ingredient to the look of our boat.

 

Darren

[mark99]

There must still be some good general signwriters out there - just look at this. I had a good look at it to check the brushmarks etc to make sure it was real/hand painted.

 

Another vote for Dave Moore, he added the final ingredient to the look of our boat.

Darren

 

Very nice it looks too. Last time was passed you Darren, a bloke nearly fell in trying to photo your tub.

[ChimneyChain]

Stripy swan neck to be added soon.

 

Darren

[Zig Zag]

There must still be some good general signwriters out there - just look at this. I had a good look at it to check the brushmarks etc to make sure it was real/hand painted.

 

 

 

Very nice it looks too. Last time was passed you Darren, a bloke nearly fell in trying to photo your tub.

 

Wheres that pub? Looks like could be one for my list to pay a visit to.

[mark99]

Wheres that pub? Looks like could be one for my list to pay a visit to.

 

Can't remember exactly but between Blackfriars and London Bridge.

 

Funny enough just round the corner was this one too - could be the same artist looking at the characters.

 

It was too early even for me to go in and sample the wares.

 

[Zig Zag]

Cool. worth a walk around next time I'm going up to jerusalem tavern in clarkenwell. Any place that puts that much importance on there sign has got to be worth a pop in.

[Pluto]

I have a digitised letters and numbers done by Sam Yates, who used to do the painting at Whitebirk dockyard, Blackburn. I use them for signage on the L&LC Society's heritage boat Kennet, and an example is below. I still have copies of the book, Brightwork, I wrote about L&LC boat painting with Sam, if anyone is interested.