Last month saw over 150 letterheads from five continents (25+ countries) descend on the beautiful city of Amsterdam for three days of learning, lettering and networking. Hosted by the Amsterdam Sign Painters, it was an incredible event with over 20 workshops covering everything from window splashes, to chrome lettering and distressed signs. These were followed by a free for all on the final day where all sorts of vehicles and other blank canvasses were provided for people to let their brushes loose on.
The following are some of the photos and videos I captured at 'Greetings from Amsterdam', and you can find more via #Letterheads2016 on Instagram. Massive thanks to Miranda, Jasper, and all the Amsterdam Sign Painters for making the 2016 meet a showstopper!
Pierre Tardif’s showcard used for t-shirts and other printed materials across the meet.I knew I was at the right place for the opening night party when I spotted the Amsterdam Sign Painters’ bike.The 3D letters workshop also introduced some gilding techniques.Mike Meyer’s window splash workshop ran over two days.
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Work in progress on the multiple window splashes at the Volkshotel.Think of the obvious and do the opposite.Pierre Tardif did a workshop on layout, and brought along a folder full of work to show.High on Type ran a brightly-coloured and playful poster workshop.Jeff Devey ran a chrome lettering workshop.Jeff Devey also ran the truck lettering workshop.There were various vehicles to letter, including this one done by Pierre Tardif.Scott Martin got busy on the Amsterdam Sign Painters’ van.David Kynaston also had a bash on the van.And on the other side of the van Jeff Devey was hard at work.Across the whole meet (and a bit after) work was in progress on a large mural at the entrance to the Heineken Brewery.The mural was designed by the Amsterdam Sign Painters, with painting led by Nancy Bennett. This face was painted by Andrew Patrick Henry.Best Dressed Signs got the chance to paint some of the lettering on the mural.I even got to put brush to wall for the first time, and did the very important pipes that make up the border.Cheers!The final day at Roest was a great chance to see everyone for one last time before the post-meet blues set in.I got to walk around Amsterdam a bit and got another photo of one of my favourite ghost signs from the city.This is one of the many ghost signs in Amsterdam, and across the Netherlands, that have been repainted.I also spotted this W on a cafe window.And this M, part of a massive piece of public lettering that spells Amsterdam in the glass roof of Central StationThis is the fascia of a bicycle shop that also features some Amsterdam Curly Letters on the window.An example of the Amsterdam Curly Letter which we were introduced to by Ramiro Espinoza, author of the brilliant book on the subject.Detail of some of those Amsterdam Curly Letters.And finally, on the way home, the sign that made me laugh the most, spotted at Brussels station.