The BLAG 09 Digital Companion
Bonus content from the adventures in sign painting in Issue 09 of BLAG (Better Letters Magazine).
As with previous issues, here are scores of photos and links that were left on the cutting room floor during the BLAG 09 edit. The post follows the page order of the magazine, serving as a digital companion to the print publication.
Read on for over 90 bonus images, plus videos and PDF downloads.
The following post is best served with a copy of BLAG 09. Get yours sent right away by signing up as a Blagger or Printer, both of which include access to bonus content, member-only emails, and a discount on everything in the BLAG shop, including back issues.
“This is less a magazine and more a full weekend disappearing into lettering.” — Simon Stratford
“BLAG (Better Letters Magazine) has become a clearing house for precision work by contemporary sign and showcard makers, and has invigorated the art of lettering ingenuity.” — Steven Heller
Poster Insert: Prismatic Letters
In addition to referencing the original prismatic letters by Speedball founder Ross F. George, Mark Oatis sought to emulate J.C. Leyendecker’s dimensional gold effect — “He's the undisputed master”. One of references used was this portrait of Francis Scott Key.
Another work-in-progress sketch, details of the tests prepared ahead of painting the panel, and the finished piece in its final resting place in the Oatis’ stairwell.
Mark’s work was done for the 26th edition of the Speedball Textbook, which is now on sale.
Ye Olde Sign Shoppe
The 1987 reissue of The Art & Craft of Sign-writing by William and W.G. Sutherland is generally available on secondhand marketplaces. These are PDFs of two other publications mentioned in the article: The Grainer Marbler and Sign Writers Assistant (1854) was William Sutherland’s first book, while The Sign Writer and Glass Embosser (1898) has numerous colour plates towards the end.
One of the sources for Tracey Thorne’s research into the Sutherland legacy was A History of the British Decorators’ Association (1994) by Howard W. Binns. These are some of my favourite illustrations from the early part of that publication.
Do you think those “Knights of the Brush” were taking some time out from a late-Victorian Letterheads meet?
Ghost Sign Corner
For a deep dive into Hong Kong’s ghost signs, check out this growing map. Billy Potts also has a dedicated newsletter where he’s sharing updates from his research and progress towards the forthcoming Hong Kong Ghost Signs book.
On the Brush
Mexican Miniatures
Some more of the miniature food cart creations by Alina Kiliwa, which came about as a result of this clampdown on the traditional Mexican sign painting style. The project was also covered by El Pais and you get in touch with Alina if you want to commission one for yourself!
Kriss Morris Cooper
Here is the work by Zara Gaze hanging at the Kriss Morris Cooper undertakers in Leicester, with interior design by Nicola Wood.