Earlier this week I mentioned that a logo I had designed for one of my clients, Heavenly Bodies Bridal, was going to be hand painted onto their new shop front, by the talented Nick Garrett.
We had originally hoped that I would pop down to film the process, but unfortunately, I was unable to make it down to the store for the time of painting. So there is no video, boo 😦
I do have a photo however! yay!
photo curtesy of Nick Garrett – pilfered from his website
The new Dishoom is really a spectacular blend of rich, quirky on retro trend design and slick gastronomy.
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And if you think that’s a mouthful wait till you see the menu… and our signwriting!!
In the heart of London this hand painted window set is a stunner with the original vintage 1920’s Bombay font extracted by Nick Garrett from an vintage cafe sign (below) and embellished into it’s new typographic context. Some of the new characters I created taking reference from the original but launching into the quirky eccentric.
Above:Â Â artwork prepared by NGS for the production of full sized layouts (Output – Original Copy Center Lond UK )
Double trouble
But it’s been really tough… arriving on site to hand paint the glass the dimensions supplied were all slightly out affecting one lay out and the windows were 25mm double glazed!
That meant the drawing we would use to trace our lettering was 32mm away from the surface needed to be written on the inner pane of plate glass… in effect we were writing on an invisible floating plain inside the shop unable to line up to the drawing!
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The normal brush controls went out the window! Literally … and after serious eye-strain, double vision and a panic attack Mat and I found things gradually improving as our technique accommodated this incredibly odd and challenging work environment.
A half day into the writing  and gradually the mind had made adjustments – we started to even enjoy the fruits…
What it means to have a sign written by hand –Â and not by digital stencil!
I am a dedicated professional sign artist with 31 years of experience and dedication by brush… I speak with a lot of writers who have given it up – they have sadly opted for digitally produced stencils (it’s always a good idea to check your signwriter will paint your sign by hand brush – without digital stencil).
The stencil is cut by computer and laid in place – it is low tack after it is rubbed in and flat the stencil is painted with a flat fill-in brush and when that coat is just dry the stencil is peeled off leaving a sharp digital painted letter – a lot like vinyl in final appearance but without the problems of shrinkage.
I find this really quite sad and alarming – are some touting Traditional Signwriting? Often yes and the unsuspecting client pays for a traditional painted sign and gets a quick stencil rip.
When a sign writer crafts your logo with the brush it comes from thousands of hours of dedication – it embodies this dedication in a flowing emblemic quality, that fills the work with a whole essence of artistry and commercial power… and if needed either the warmth of traditional sign romance, classic elegance or cool minimalism.
For example on a straight letter a writer will flair the letter at the corners to add a sharpness, refinement and tempo.
The Traditional writer will adjust letters at will. Â I, for example change certain letters if I feel the font is designed solely for paper or on-screen reproduction. Â Good writers improve fonts.
Either way a digital sign stencil can’t match the human in human terms can it… and yes while digital is by nature pin point accurate, it should cost you far less, because it is only a shade better than cheap vinyl and incredibly easy to produce. Â There are skills involved but zero artistry.
Digital stencils are used and passed off as genuine signwriting and that is what I aim to head you up on here – the final artwork will lack flow, depth and beauty. Â But if you want it, go to a non traditional sign company and get a good deal at the right price.
Van decals written by hand were the only way to go until the mid eighties, and overnight the sign written vans and truck industry evaporated – vinyl had arrived and decimated our business.
Above: CITYRAMA one of my first big vehicle sign writing commissions in the early eighties
Today signwriting is about to make a big return to vehicles and the like and that is good news for all.
Traditional signwriting speaks volumes!
Nick Garrett
NGSigns London
SIGN WRITING ON VANS – NICK GARRETT TRADITIONAL SIGN WRITING
Detail of POD mural –Â Traditional Sign writer NICK GARRETT
The Motif today – Traditional London sign-writer Nick Garrett
Decorative motif is making a resurgence these days in signwriting, brand and graphic design and frankly I love it!  As a dedicated signwriter I just love work that is varied, creative and fun… here are few recent mural motifs showing quite a variety of themes.
When designing a sign or mural I provide detailed layouts that present all aspects of the project.
NGS Sign Writing 