Where Can I Learn the Craft of Sign Painting?
Overview of workshops, courses, apprenticeships, and places to learn the craft of sign painting.
Despite the resurgence in sign painting, and interest in learning the craft, there hasn’t been a widespread reopening of technical courses, nor apprenticeship opportunities.
Those recently entering the trade have largely done so through a combination of workshops, short apprenticeships, online resources, and books such as Sign Painting.
Each of these can play a role, and this article guides you through some of the current options. Read on for a digest of sign painting workshops (including hosts around the world), apprenticeships, courses, and places to learn the craft online.
Sign Painting Workshops
In-person sign painting workshops are an excellent way to get some brush time, and to see if you want to take things further. They vary in length and format, from a one-day ‘toe-dip’ to longer multi-day experiences. Costs depend on the teacher, location, and duration of the workshop.
Students after a Bryan Yonki (Well Done Signs, @welldonesigns) sign painting workshop, and Mike Meyer (@this_is_the_real_mike_meyer) teaching his hand-lettering class.
You won’t be taking on commercial jobs after a single workshop, but you’ll know what materials you need, and what to practise. And you'll connect with people that are also interested in the craft of sign painting.
Sign painting workshops are happening regularly around the world. BLAG's worldwide events roundup email features these, including ongoing programmes.
Workshop Hosts
The following are people and places that offer regular workshops and courses to help you find one near you.
- Various Locations (USA): Sign Painting and Gilding with Mike Meyer
Better Letters
- Various Locations (Worldwide): Script & Casual with Ged Palmer
- Various Locations (Europe): Casual & Script with Jeff Marshall
- Various Locations (USA): Sign Painting with Bryan Yonki
- Sussex: Signwriting with Terry Smith
- Dublin: Signwriting at Ballyfermot Training Centre
- Glasgow: Beginner's Signwriting Workshops with Bungo Signs
- Lima, Perú (and sometimes elsewhere): Lettering with Carga Máxima
Better Letters
- Los Angeles: Sign Painting with John King
- Los Angeles: Sign Graphics at LA Trade Tech
- Los Angeles: Lettering, Layout and Other Topics with Smart Alex Signs
- Plymouth, Devon: Signwriting with Camilla Rose
- Portland, Oregon: Sign Painting with Studio Sign Co.
- San Francisco: Introduction to Brush Lettering with New Bohemia Signs
- Tokyo: Sign Painting with Letterboy
- Torquay, Devon: Gilding with David A. Smith
- Wells, Somerset: Sign Painting, Gilding, and Fairground Art with Joby Carter
- Winterthur, Switzerland: Sign Painting and Lettering with Brigitte Jaggi
Sign Painting Apprenticeships
The age-old way to learn a craft is through an apprenticeship, traditionally lasting from three to seven years. These days, at least in sign painting, these opportunities are largely restricted to family businesses.
However, there are firms that will take someone on if they show a genuine passion for the craft and a hunger to learn. These include Colossal Media (@colossalmedia), which has a large structured programme to develop its next generation of 'Walldogs'.
Better Letters
These apprenticeships can last from a month to a year or more if there is an eventual exchange of value. They won’t have you on the brush straight away, so you’ll need to practise in your own time. However, they are invaluable experiences if you work hard and keep an open mind about what you’re asked to do.
Sign Painting Courses (In-Person)
There are now very few technical courses teaching sign painting. If you can access one of these, they are an excellent way to learn in a formal setting over an extended period of time.