Traditional Sign Writing & Graining .

This is a sign I painted a few years back that at the time was completed using colours matching the exterior
of the Pub, It has lasted very well but recently a graffiti artist decided to add to it! 
The owner asked could I fix it & give it & a couple of other signs a bit of a face lift, so I thought some oak graining on the background would be more befitting to the surroundings of a traditional Irish bar. The owner wanted to keep the same style of lettering for this one though. Images below showing a start to finish of this Sign, all done by hand ! 

                                          First starting with a thorough sanding & making good

      With the background prep work completed its time to start the graining, I painted it to resemble planks of oak ,.

                     As this will have lettering on it I decided to give it my commercial Oak grain effect.

          Next the tinted over glaze is applied & manipulated with various spalters to enhance each plank.

 

I re-inforced the lines between each plank with a lining brush & straight edge , making them stand out more before adding  some trompe l'oeil work leaving a slightly raised panel look.

     Before painting the signage I gave the background 6 coats of waterbased exterior varnish by Polivine.

          Now for the lettering, at this point though I didnt like the idea of sign writing on top of my graining ha ha!

                                   The graining was done in acrylic & lettering in enamel.

                                           I may add some floral designs to this yet .

 

Another sign board in the making!