Name: The Signpainters Academy
Price range: ££
Rating: 5

We walk before we can fly

The course is designed to build your skill set, slowly but surely at first.

It’s important to learn the ground rules in a time served manner before you can go on to develop them into something very special. This is exactly what we do here. We walk before we can fly, learning the basics from our tools and materials to the four main letterforms, and how each one of them is approached differently.

We then move on and build on these new-found techniques, applying them to every form of signpainting and working towards some very advanced and extremely beautiful techniques.

Plenty of students who have been learning to paint signs for a while are now benefiting from the course hugely. In fact, some students are now painting signs full-time, which is exactly what I dreamed of when I first started putting the course together.

Although you can learn a lot from a one-day workshop and pick up bits and pieces from books, by subscribing to this 12 month course you will increase your chances massively of realising your dreams of becoming a decent Signpainter.

There is only one way to do this and that is practice, practice, practice and more practice! There are no shortcuts, I’m afraid.

A red sign panel hand-lettered in cream with a deep cast shade, on the workshop bench

Your first eight weeks

Over the first 8 weeks we will begin with the basics, these are essential for setting you up for success.

Below is a summary of the course, which aims to fast-track you from a novice to a proficient Signpainter. I will show you the correct equipment you need and how to look after it, how to get the paint working for you, and basic brush skills.

We will then move on to learning how to paint the four main lettering styles. Once you have got the hang of these, we will move on to shading with a few basic tips and tricks.

The correct equipment and how to look after it
How to get the paint working for you
Basic brush skills
Casual
Block
Script
Roman
Shading, with a few basic tips and tricks

The first 8 modules are released weekly. It is important to learn in a methodical manner and not try to run before you are able to walk. These first 8 weeks are designed to build your skills and also your confidence.

If you already have some experience this course is still for you. I have many students that have already been training to become Signpainters for some time who have told me they have learnt more from the first 8 weeks than they have in years.

Nearly all students are in some sort of employment whilst learning.

Then the mothership — everything I know

It’s impossible to list all that I have in store for you, but below is a summary.

After the first section of the course the mothership will be available, covering a wide range of skills and techniques. Modules are presented in the form of real-time videos. You are able to dip into them as many times as you need and, most importantly, at your own pace, enabling you to juggle your learning process with your other commitments.

There will be 100’s of hours of real-time video that you can watch as often as you like. In these demonstrations you will have a front row seat, showing close-ups of the business end of things — namely brushes, pencils and paint.

Whilst I work through the demos I’m talking you through what I’m doing, giving invaluable tips and tricks that I’ve learnt over more than 30 years. If I make a mistake whilst I’m painting, which I do, I don’t edit it out. I show you how to put it right. Something you don’t normally see.

There will also be many downloads available for you to print off and use as practice sheets. These will be basic printer compatible.

And in The Masterclass I will be introducing you to some of the ‘greats’ in the game, who will be providing you with unique video demonstrations showing the ways in which they work. If you are interested in signpainting, these will all be familiar names to you.

A hand-lettered ‘Rat Fink Enterprises’ panel in shaded script and block lettering

Bonus — The 26 Letters, free

Join THE FULL COURSE and you’ll get The 26 Letters for FREE!

You can learn more from this section of the course than most other online courses.

With over 27 hours of content (way more than most other courses & it’s just one section of THE FULL COURSE!)

I have designed and painted 26 letters, all recorded in real time with full commentary. Whilst I paint these I’ll share hundreds of tips, tricks and processes that I have learnt and developed over my 30+ years in the business. These will be invaluable, assisting you in building an impressive skill set.

Gilding. Surface and Glass
Advanced Gilding Techniques
Glass Work
Advanced Shading Techniques
Blending
Pictorials
Distressed Signs
Airbrush
Board Preparation

This series will also be available to purchase if you decide this course isn’t for you!

See what’s inside The 26 Letters

A grid of hand-painted letters worked up in a range of lettering styles, as demonstrated in The 26 Letters

Projects, a portfolio and paid work

As this is a visual craft, it is important to have images to show to future clients, a picture speaks a thousand words.

In order for you to do this you need some structure, guidance and perseverance. You will also need some projects to get your teeth into, which I will set throughout the course.

The projects you complete will go towards building you a portfolio. As this is a visual craft, it is important to have images to show to future clients in order to gain work.

You will also get support and guidance along the way!

£447 Join The Full Course Includes The 26 Letters (worth £147) free, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Hand-painted pub sign — the kind of project that builds a portfolio