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This is an interactive Bulletin Board on the topics of Sign making, design, fabrication, History, old Books and of coarse Letterheads, Keepers of the craft. The Hand Lettering Forum features links to resources, sign art history, techniques, and artists profiles. Learn more about Letterheads at https://theletterheads.com. Below you'll see Mchat has been added as a live communication portal for trial, and the Main forum Links are listed below.

Search found 1076 matches

by Doug Bernhardt
Sun Jul 02, 2017 4:41 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Enamels on vehicles.
Replies: 3
Views: 4082

Re: Enamels on vehicles.

I've never used the urethanes before but have heard only great things about them. It looks like something that would be a good test case
by Doug Bernhardt
Thu Jun 29, 2017 3:16 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Enamels on vehicles.
Replies: 3
Views: 4082

Re: Enamels on vehicles.

Hi again Robert. Last time I did a truck was quite a few years ago and they were just fine then. I've since seen many of the guys doing these sort of jobs at Letterheads events and they're still using those and the new urethane paints. What I'm "not" sure of if there's any prep for the tru...
by Doug Bernhardt
Thu Jun 29, 2017 3:15 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Tinning (again !)
Replies: 5
Views: 5324

Re: Tinning (again !)

Welcome aboard Stephane. I'm thinking you'll want somewhere between thick cream and stirred yogurt. The reasons will become apparent immediately if you are using lettering brushes. I'm assuming you are using lettering enamels and are thinning with an appropriate solvent
by Doug Bernhardt
Sat May 20, 2017 3:49 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: damar embossing
Replies: 3
Views: 4520

Re: damar embossing

Hi Tyler....the dots are Mother of Pearl, the edge is actually bevelled glass. The part I was most curious about was what is the actual time required for the embossing to cure so you can get the bright water gild after? We know a year works ;=)
by Doug Bernhardt
Sat May 20, 2017 3:44 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Beautiful Art Deco shop in Lisbon!
Replies: 5
Views: 5836

Re: Beautiful Art Deco shop in Lisbon!

Thats a wonderful project to have. I've seen illustrations like this on some antique glass pieces from France a few years ago and from the back they were on some sort of paper or canvas that I'd not seen before. I've done this quite a number of times on canvas and used the 3 varnish method to apply ...
by Doug Bernhardt
Sun May 14, 2017 1:26 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: damar embossing
Replies: 3
Views: 4520

damar embossing

Was at a small heads meet at Phil Ghi's in March and made an interesting discovery. I had used embossing damar before and had usually left it over night to flash off and then gild with water. It so happened that there was a year between this process this time and instead of getting the usual semi gl...
by Doug Bernhardt
Thu May 04, 2017 5:12 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Tinting Epoxy
Replies: 1
Views: 2606

Re: Tinting Epoxy

I've tinted the west system often and for what you want to do wouldn't hesitate to add more colour if necessary. However....hold fast is the right product for this and in Canada you can get it at Canadian Signcrafters in Bayfield Ontario
by Doug Bernhardt
Thu May 04, 2017 5:09 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Blabbermouth me, or just a polite host?
Replies: 18
Views: 19128

Re: Blabbermouth me, or just a polite host?

Mikey....just keep doing what you're doing. I can see there's a huge following and just when I thought nobody was reading our stuff.... ;=)
by Doug Bernhardt
Thu May 04, 2017 5:06 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Eye Candy
Replies: 3
Views: 4961

Re: Eye Candy

Yes....Noel Weber showed me using course steel wool. Put on 23k and right under it your 12k steel wool thru the centre and 16k. Easy peasy and looks sweet!
by Doug Bernhardt
Sun Apr 30, 2017 1:37 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Oklahoma Bash: October 1982
Replies: 2
Views: 3834

Re: Oklahoma Bash: October 1982

Another great trip thru the past Mike...is that Bob Behounek (sp?) in the second photo with Ray Chapman and Mike Stevens looking over his shoulder?
by Doug Bernhardt
Sun Apr 30, 2017 1:34 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: SILVER LEAF WINDOW
Replies: 3
Views: 4704

Re: SILVER LEAF WINDOW

Kevin....Is that silver or white gold? If silver how did you adjust your water size? She really shines BTW ;=)
by Doug Bernhardt
Sun Apr 30, 2017 1:28 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Sunset Plaza Gold Leaf
Replies: 2
Views: 3319

Re: Sunset Plaza Gold Leaf

Hey Mr. Betz....how did you do the project. Hand carved...CNC? Looks good and clean and am sure you've got a happy customer.
by Doug Bernhardt
Sun Apr 30, 2017 1:24 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Cleveland Signs
Replies: 5
Views: 5523

Re: Cleveland Signs

I'm a real sucker for the "Packard" wall and the glass piece at the bank (probably all done by hand) but makes me wish I'd taken photos all those years ago of the great work I saw everywhere. I saw an amazing half in and half out wall at a youth hostel in Los Angeles some 15 or so years ag...
by Doug Bernhardt
Sun Apr 30, 2017 1:14 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Doug Bernhardt_Retired?!
Replies: 7
Views: 12420

Re: Doug Bernhardt_Retired?!

Hey guys...not April fools joke. I'll still be around and an extra pair of hands when and if anyone needs them. I've been looking forward to spending more time at the other passions (oil painting and the like) but I've been an 8 days a week guy for a little too long. Promise to try and organize my p...
by Doug Bernhardt
Mon Apr 24, 2017 4:32 pm
Forum: Letterhead Events
Topic: California Conclave 2000
Replies: 6
Views: 11489

Re: California Conclave 2000

Mike...Have been having a great tour thru all the old photos. A lot of kids before grey hair settled in !
by Doug Bernhardt
Mon Apr 24, 2017 4:32 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: California Conclave 2000
Replies: 6
Views: 6970

Re: California Conclave 2000

Mike...Have been having a great tour thru all the old photos. A lot of kids before grey hair settled in !
by Doug Bernhardt
Sun Apr 09, 2017 10:29 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: a few old photos
Replies: 1
Views: 2394

a few old photos

Lately I've been sorting out my computer and old photographs and stumbled on a few photos from the days before I was doing all the wood signs and was concentrating on show-cards. I don't know how far back and what other folks remember of what got them started in this craft of ours but for the sake o...
by Doug Bernhardt
Sat Apr 08, 2017 4:06 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Lithochrome paint
Replies: 2
Views: 3421

Re: Lithochrome paint

Thats a tough one...I think there's 2 solutions and none are all that easy. I'd try switching to some of the new urethane paints I've been seeing the pin strippers use or try sealing the project first with some sort of sealant like fibroseal that was recommended to me by Rick Glawson some years ago ...
by Doug Bernhardt
Sun Mar 19, 2017 3:52 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: wipe out tool
Replies: 3
Views: 3435

Re: wipe out tool

Never heard of that tool either...anyone have a clue? Wonder what it's used to wipe out?
by Doug Bernhardt
Sun Mar 19, 2017 3:49 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: glue chip drying
Replies: 9
Views: 7375

Re: glue chip drying

Just to add to all the good advice...you can add "as much water as you like" but you have to wait till it all evaporates so using as directed resolves that. I also have the light table set up and although doing glass isn't all that common in my shop any more it IS terrific at getting thing...
by Doug Bernhardt
Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:10 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 1 shot thinning
Replies: 6
Views: 10226

Re: 1 shot thinning

I wouldn't worry about Hi-temp vs Lo-Temp reducer as far as quality goes. They are all brewed with with our use intended.
by Doug Bernhardt
Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:06 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Water gilding help, please!
Replies: 3
Views: 4492

Re: Water gilding help, please!

Just a few asides to everything that has been said. ! 1st it seems that you're not getting the gold properly burnished after your water gilds. 2nd the use of the gilders tip is "NOT" a science that you can write about. It boils down to experience. My first experiments using written instruc...
by Doug Bernhardt
Tue Feb 21, 2017 5:03 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Gilded glass wall- HELPPPPP!
Replies: 6
Views: 5744

Re: Gilded glass wall- HELPPPPP!

Does it match the sample? Not sure water size will have made any difference but wonder how well the "crinkles" will hold up to a cleaning.
by Doug Bernhardt
Sat Feb 18, 2017 6:33 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: 1 shot thinning
Replies: 6
Views: 10226

Re: 1 shot thinning

All of those thinners are pretty great. I used turpentine for years and even old fashion paint thinner (from the hardware store) but a few years ago I was at a Letterheads meet and a discussion of the various merits of each I'm now a big fan of the thinners from one shot. Permanent paint films etc a...
by Doug Bernhardt
Sun Feb 05, 2017 10:09 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Whats keeping me busy
Replies: 25
Views: 20974

Re: Whats keeping me busy

Thanx for the kind words...High praise from a high place. Your contributions (your work and articles about others...like the Pritchard's) in SC for all those years were one of the things that kept me wanting to try new things. In the early 70's all I was interested in doing were sho-cards but that's...
by Doug Bernhardt
Sun Feb 05, 2017 9:59 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: The Forum vs Facebook
Replies: 13
Views: 12550

Re: The Forum vs Facebook

I for one have a great deal of respect for someone who seems to have no end of time to sink into a project that no longer is his business interests. I'm guessing that there is no TV at the Jackson's home in Wyoming?
by Doug Bernhardt
Sun Feb 05, 2017 9:52 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Costa Rica
Replies: 1
Views: 2471

Re: Costa Rica

Mike....I took advantage of your invitation and took a tour thru your photos. You really have run with your new interest...very inspiring in so far as seeing what else life has to offer, even for old dogs like us ;=)
by Doug Bernhardt
Sun Feb 05, 2017 9:45 am
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: Gilded glass wall- HELPPPPP!
Replies: 6
Views: 5744

Re: Gilded glass wall- HELPPPPP!

Thats a big project! Using fake leaf or metal leaf will probably mean oil size but I'll wait for others to add to this. If it were me however I'd simply grab a friend apply a slow size to about half or at some natural divider (it can't be a single piece of glass) and do as much as can be done in one...
by Doug Bernhardt
Sat Jan 28, 2017 5:50 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: base coat for gold size...
Replies: 9
Views: 7241

Re: base coat for gold size...

Both the clears are acrylic water based. You'd have to ask Kent what the chemicals are as the Star Coating was/is a chromatic product
by Doug Bernhardt
Thu Jan 26, 2017 7:50 pm
Forum: The Hand Lettering Forum
Topic: New member, saying Hi and asking about a font
Replies: 3
Views: 3679

Re: New member, saying Hi and asking about a font

Hi Neville and welcome. I don't use a computer at work but I doubt very much it was or will ever be a "font". Am guessing your best effort would be a tracing and then translate into which ever technology you prefer. May just be a good time to start trying a brush and paint? Good luck with ...