hand-painted signage: the george

[Lynn Normington]

nice sign AJ maybe an approach to the breweries with some pics of your work (!) (!)

Lynn

[Peter Dee]

When I got involved in reproducing some Pub signs I found that Publicans have a suppliers handbook from which they have the choice of known and recommended suppliers of goods and services.
I think that’s why a lot of Pub signs look a bit same’ish, they’re coming from the same companies.
Lots of them seem to have gone down the route of digital prints rather than hand painted. The market must surely be there for the right areas though.
Look out for some tatty signs and pop in with a portfolio.

[kirkdavis]

Hi AJ,

Nice work, if you get hold of these people:

http://www.identitysigns.co.uk/artwork.htm

They are in the pup sign trade as you can see, I worked for them for about 5 years.
Some people will still pay for a hand painted piece, but they are getting fewer and fewer.
By the looks of it you have used an airbrush, if that’s the case have you explored the opportunities of custom painting as a good means of making money instead, as this is more the market to be aiming to sell this sort of art to these days.
Most clients will understand before they even come to you for a commissioned piece that it is going to cost a fair bit.
I have done a course with a guy called Simon Murray on custom painting and he covers not only techniques but how and who to try sell your work to.
One of his courses may give you some direction.
http://www.smdesigns.co.uk/
Good Luck and stick with it you have talent.

Kirk

[A Misselbrook]

Thanks 😀 I will look into that. The sign is painted and sponged because my airbrush is broken and collecting dust!! Keep meaning to either get it fixed or buy a new one!

Cheers! 😎

[Jill Marie Welsh]

Lovely work as always.
I was disappointed when I crossed the pond hoping to see some tasty pub signs.
There were loads of bad vinyl lettered ones!
Maybe you can get some work by taking that thing door-to-door, along with business cards and a portfolio.
Love….Jill

[Robert Lambie]

quote aj:

Does anyone know of a way to get my stuff across to the right folk?

we avoid pubs like the plague… if we have to deal with them its payment up front. unless you can deal 100% with the brewery, dont go there as its a hit and a miss. in fact, its a miss miss miss hit misss :lol1:

[Jill Marie Welsh]

It’s hard to believe you avoid pubs Rob.
:lol1:
Love….Jill
(Seriously, it’s sad to hear they are unreliable as clients)

[A Misselbrook]

Payment up front from pubs. got it! Thanks

Better go paint a ship or a dog and duck! 😎 😀

[Bernardo Maldonado]

can´t believe you did that with a sponge… amazing. atleast you´re flexible enuff to face the challenge. do you use masking tape? fine work really…

i dont exactly know where you are in england, but i hope its not too far out in the country so you get enuff work! you deserve it.

all the best, b

[A Misselbrook]

Thanks for the comments! Im going to keep on pushing to get as many customers to go for written stuff as I can!
I am going to pay up sometime! when I get around to it! Then I will truly belong!! :lol1:

[Fran Hollywood]

AJ, it maybe worth going to any trade shows connected to food, pub, club or hospitality sector.
We have two here one in Belfast http://www.ifexexhibition.co.uk/index.html and the other in Dublin http://www.hospitalityexpo.ie

Or look at architect/design companies that specialise in pub/club/restaurant design/fit-outs.

[A Misselbrook]

Good Idea. Thanks 😎

[John Morgan]

Hi aj,
Ive been trying to get work into pubs for a long time too. I suppose the market has decreased somewhat. A few years ago I did a sign for a local pub with a specific local background scene fronted by a Trad wheatsheaf unfortunately new owners came in and unaware and/or uncaring had it replaced with a very ordinary vinyl sign. I have done publike signs for mostly bookshops in my nearby town.
Ive already posted 2 pieces on the site but here they are again both trompe l’oeil jobs I did about 4 years ago ;the landscape very recent. Youre work looks great and Im sure you will get work from it, John

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[Stevo Chartrand]

Lovely work John and AJ!

Stevo 😀

[John Singh]

Great stuff AJ and John

Most swing signs are now digitally printed from what I can see

A good selling point to the customer has to be that a painted sign will last for ages and ages…

Yes! Obvious I know but particularly important when it comes to a hanging sign that’s hoisted high because the publican doesn’t really want to keep taking it down because the digital print has faded does he