Intro to a stroke-by-stroke video demo series featuring the late Mike Stevens' script.
Пікірлер: 120
@usmc20206276 жыл бұрын
A very nicely done video in honor of the great Mike Stevens who was my mentor and got me started on a career in Sign Painting that spanned 40 years . Mike was a joy to watch , which I did for hours at a time as he executed the most beautiful Sho Cards . He was a very warm and supportive friend and I miss him greatly . He would practice and practice and practice the basic stroke technique and when working his magic he made it seem effortless . It was a stroke of good fortune that I knew him and was asked to contribute a piece in Sign Craft magazine when he died . A great loss to the world of Sign Painters . Mike was one of a kind .
@davidographicsguy6 жыл бұрын
Wow! I am completely jealous! And happy for you. That must have been so cool! I would have loved to be there but he passed away just as I was discovering him. Are you still lettering?
@usmc20206276 жыл бұрын
I retired 10 years ago David , finishing the last years as a Scenic Artist in film as a result of the use of vinyl in many Sign Shops . Mike was a great guy and amazing to watch and was also incredibly fast . I worked in many films beginning in 1990 lettering the train for " Back To The Future III " They gave me 2 weeks to letter 2 trains and I completed them both in 3 days . The models were approximated 10 - 12 feet in length for the last shot when it crashed at the end of the film . Sign Painting was a great career as it was so varied : Banners , walls , trucks , race cars , Sho Cards etc., always something new and different . The 14' x 48' Billboards were great fun to hand letter . I was very fortunate to have met Mike and call him a friend .
@dtacklind5 жыл бұрын
I had the pleasure of sitting and watching Mike lay out and letter show cards many times. I was the screen printer at the sign shop he worked at. He was a very kind and friendly man.
@davidographicsguy5 жыл бұрын
Okay, I’m full on jealous! Was that in San Jose, Ca?
@dtacklind5 жыл бұрын
Sign Classics in San Jose in the 70's. We worked for Harrison Todd. He and Harrison were old friends . He could knock out a cardboard showcard with minimal layout with chalk in less than five minutes. I would sit and watch during breaks and after work.@@davidographicsguy
@davidographicsguy5 жыл бұрын
Dang! Let’s connect, I would love to bend your ear. thesignshopsc@comcast.net
@ShakespeareCafe3 жыл бұрын
The dixie cup cut was worth the price of admission
@davidographicsguy3 жыл бұрын
I was pretty stoked when I discovered that. 👍😁
@leroychristen66367 жыл бұрын
thank you for sharing!.....could watch and listen to you all day. I'm 61 yrs old and NEVER quit learning. WIll get to the shop sometime today and put it to practice......thanks
@davidographicsguy7 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much Leroy, I agree, it's a fun journey and at our age where just getting started :)
@startmeup7754 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for your time putting this together. Learned a lot!
@davidographicsguy4 жыл бұрын
You are so welcome! Are you having fun doing this too?
@startmeup7753 жыл бұрын
@@davidographicsguy Hi, been a while. For some reason I didn't see your replies. Anyways, to answer your question signwriting for me is a by product of my enamel or porcelain sign restoration work. Most of that is filling and sanding work followed by colour matching. So inevitably there are logos and words usually in a block script that need to be repaired. I like watching tese vids to see how the professional do it. It gives me a great view of how lettering should be done. Again, thanks for the effort involved!
@davidographicsguy3 жыл бұрын
It must be rewarding bringing letters back to life making them shiny and new! Awesome! 👍😀
@GR_BackingTracks3 жыл бұрын
@9:05 - Man, you're right about the brush gumming up being where the problems start. Even with acrylic or enamel, it's time to clean your brush after 15 or 20 minutes!
@airbrushken53393 жыл бұрын
When I moved to Sydney Australia from Detroit Michigan, I'd be stripping a truck and the heat was a real problem I never had in my spray booth in the Motor City...and being hit in the head by an Australian "Mag Pie" bird...crazy time.
@ismaelhaiderco3 ай бұрын
Nice tutorial video , Thanks
@davidographicsguy3 ай бұрын
Hey, thank you! Are you lettering?
@ismaelhaiderco3 ай бұрын
@@davidographicsguy I've been a calligrapher, sign artist, and sign maker for a long time ago, But now I'm only practicing Coreldraw and some vinyl banners and watercolor. Thank you very much.
@davidographicsguy3 ай бұрын
Awesome! Do you post any of your work?
@lovinglife3675 Жыл бұрын
Hey Dave , Newbie here !! a big thank you as made good progress today with a few of your tips !! dixie cup and palleting , 3 finger brush hold and the C stroke finish with rotate right … much better tails now … recently retired and found my new passion 🙏 a big thank you from Adelaide Australia 👍 working my way thro your channel .. cheers mate.
@davidographicsguy Жыл бұрын
G’day L.V! That’s so awesome that you’re enjoying lettering and that these videos are helping. It’s a rare and amazing art form. Thank you for keeping this awesome craft alive. Keep up the great work!
@davidographicsguy Жыл бұрын
Sorry I meant L.L. 😊
@lovinglife3675 Жыл бұрын
@@davidographicsguy All good Dave , the name this way is Steve 👍 recently retired and have a small design studio going with my better half … question if i may ? i do have a good selection of brushes and watching you get a clean edge from your brushes still eludes me … its as if the body of the brush is always wider than the tip … and tips ? does it take a while for the brushes to break in ? and i am humbled at reply as not normally received on youtube … appreciate :-) thx again Steve
@lovinglife3675 Жыл бұрын
currently running the Kafka range of liners and kwills … few Mack daggers and flats … thanks again dave , Regards Steve
@davidographicsguy Жыл бұрын
Hey Steve, that’s so cool that you guys are working together. I always struggled with the standard lettering quill until I found the Kafka Kwills. These are the best brushes in my opinion as they are super user friendly. I recommend the #2 and #4 unless you can afford more. I don’t know how much shipping would be for your location. Here is the link: stevekafka.com/products/kwill
@DeathDesigner0095 жыл бұрын
Than you so much i learnt many thing from you sir... Very easy to get from you
@davidographicsguy5 жыл бұрын
You’re very welcome! Keep having fun and please keep this wonderful craft alive!
@DeathDesigner0095 жыл бұрын
@@davidographicsguy yes sir.. it's in my heart... I love it
@GAprod-hw7dd7 жыл бұрын
thank you so much, very informing and helpful;)
@davidographicsguy7 жыл бұрын
I'm so glad! Are you lettering too?
@GAprod-hw7dd7 жыл бұрын
davidographicsguy yes:) my Insta: ga.prod
@sped173732 жыл бұрын
Wow--I learned a lot from this video--Thanks so much! I'm just starting out with brush lettering @ 65 yrs. old but I've got 40+ years of airbrushing experience so I'm kinda in the ballpark. While I have 2 o3 cans of 1-Shot, I would much prefer to stick with water based paint, right now I'm trying with E'tac Private Stock and EFX500 which are actually airbrush paints--these are NOT ready-to-spray out of the bottle, are thick and need a good amount of thinning to go thru my Olympos airbrushes.....thus they seem to have a decent viscosity for brush lettering. I also have some Createx Wicked detail colors that I haven't tried yet. You'll laugh, but one of the surfaces I want to letter on are paper envelopes (to go with matching cards).....though I have the touch to cut frisket directly on the envelope without cutting it and then airbrushing it, this is a bit time consuming, thus hand brushed lettering. Also want to brush letter on leather jackets (and gold leaf) in conjunction with my airbrushed art--have already used liner brushes to outline lettering on a couple of jackets. Am subbed and binge watching your videos!
@davidographicsguy2 жыл бұрын
Wow! That’s awesome Sped! I too love airbrush. The hand, arm, shoulder finesse it takes puts you ahead of the game learning to letter. I would love to see your work. Do you have projects posted anywhere?
@sped173732 жыл бұрын
@@davidographicsguy I only have pics posted on Facebook, maybe 100 photos in an album titled "Some off my work". My name is Mike Carlson, written in English and Thai....adenium flowers in background. Other than that I could email pics. Yeah, I figured you want to keep brushes for one type of paint only and not switch back and forth. I've got several types of scrolling brushes but water based paint doesn't work well in them....for scrolling, I mean.
@davidographicsguy2 жыл бұрын
Wow! You have serious skills! The 352nd flight jacket is a masterpiece. Do you play bass professionally?
@sped173732 жыл бұрын
@@davidographicsguy Sorry for not getting back to you quicker....had to spend some time in the hospital, first for a cardiac workup (I had a heart attack in Dec, '17) and then my eternal pelvic floor pain got me in the hospital again. Thanks for the comps--WW2 warbirds (especially Luftwaffe aircraft-I was born in Germany) are one of my favorite subjects to paint Yeah, I played bass in a number of local bands, last band I was in was blues/rock, we opened for the Bayfront Blues Festival here in Duluth--woohoo, hundreds of people watching Then that band imploded and I soon sold all my gear.....including my precious '83 Rickenbacker 4001 bass. I miss it SO much!
@davidographicsguy2 жыл бұрын
Oh no! I’m so sorry! I hope you heal quickly. Giving up your gear must have been very painful. I had to sell my Gibson 335 to replace my broken vinyl plotter that I use for work. 😞
@FuryVoxx777 жыл бұрын
GREAT INFO!!! THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR KNOWLEDGE :)
@davidographicsguy7 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
@chrisbellis47623 жыл бұрын
Thanks again for another vision of your work "behind the scenes" You do indeed go to a lot of trouble in the production of your video to give a clear picture of what is happening at the tip of your brush Regards Chris
@davidographicsguy3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Chris. I hope they’re inspiring and helpful. 👍😀
@Jezz_Mcfly2 жыл бұрын
Practice Boards ! Super clever 👏 thanks ✌
@davidographicsguy2 жыл бұрын
Right on! 👍😀
@bobparsonsartist5647 жыл бұрын
Great idea for a practice easel!
@davidographicsguy7 жыл бұрын
Thank you Bob! It's portable too :)
@bobparsonsartist5647 жыл бұрын
davidographicsguy ...Doublw Prizes, and good sleuthing on the J! You can't go wrong studying Mike. I met him in !982. Held the showcard he did for Mike Jacksons meet in my hand, coming back from picking him up at the airport. Up close it was flawless...
@davidographicsguy7 жыл бұрын
Oh man! There are a lot of us who would love for you to share your stories, photos, videos, etc.. with Mike Stevens. That would be so cool! I still have the SignCraft 'Tips & Tricks 1 & 2' with all your awesome cartoons in them. YOU ROCK! :)
@iloveyourtattoos5 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for sharing your information! I'm just starting out, and you have a lot of great tips I didn't learn from my classes so far!
@davidographicsguy5 жыл бұрын
That’s awesome! Please keep up the great work and keep this craft alive! I found it can help if you talk out loud like you’re teaching someone how to do each step and stroke.
@RoadJournal4 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@sped173732 жыл бұрын
Also just ordered a No. 2 Kafka Kwill.....
@davidographicsguy2 жыл бұрын
Perfect! You can try them for your water based paints, but once they go into oil based paints, they can’t go back. Have fun and celebrate every nice stroke you make. Thank you for keeping this wonderful craft alive!
@Tat2TankT11 ай бұрын
Can you use acrylic thinned with water or be best to get enamel?
@davidographicsguy11 ай бұрын
For projects to be outdoors I would use oil base lettering enamels, for indoor projects I would use water base lettering paint designed for brush lettering: www.mackbrush.com/product/ronan-aquacote-paints/
@randywizek57063 жыл бұрын
I am interested in the type of tracing paper you are using. I am using Blick tempera as the cell paint appears to be in the dinosaur category. Having laminated several 18x24's with Mike's fonts, I am working lettering over them. The only problem I am having is the tracing paper is becoming bunchy as it dries even within a few seconds of laying down a stroke. I am using Strathmore 300 series tracing paper. and red sable showcard brushes. In a way it is a true test of skill, for if I perform a true single-stroke letter, I barely have any issues, it is when tweaking caps, etc, that the problem creeps up. So a type of tracing paper that takes fluids fairly well would be a more desirable option than racing through a letter to avoid this. Thanks for any help!
@davidographicsguy3 жыл бұрын
I bought it in a roll, but I don’t have the packaging any more. I know what you mean though. It needs to be tough enough to take wet paint. Maybe some searching and experimenting.
@j.gilman7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for taking the time to document all this info and share it. What are the measurements of your pallet system?
@davidographicsguy7 жыл бұрын
Hi j. Sorry for the late response. I was on vacation. Here is a little video I made of the dimensions and making of my pallet. Thank you! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/idCUfayHxpe9m3U.html
@randy1ization6 жыл бұрын
no, it actually seems to accelerate drying a tad. I use terpentine, or min spirits to thin.
@davidographicsguy6 жыл бұрын
Oh, Gotchya! That's cool!
@ricardogarbini5 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for sharing this!! What kind of paint is that water base black paint he use? I don't hear him well...
@davidographicsguy5 жыл бұрын
Cel vinyl but they recently stop making it. Folks are using this. I will get it when I run out of my cel vinyl. www.dickblick.com/mobile/products/ronan-aquacote-bulletin-enamels/
@eddie5776 жыл бұрын
About 10 years ago I bought a Mike Stevens CD with all his Fonts for around 100.00 or more on eBay. Anyone know where to get it now? Great Video. Also does anyone know what happened to 1 Shot Speed Dry Enamel White. It was the best for background. Anyway, Thanks David. Your video really brought me back to the 70's. You can't buy this information anywhere "Priceless". Hand lettering I hope is making a come back.
@davidographicsguy6 жыл бұрын
Thank you Edward. You can purchase his fonts from this website: signdna.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_56_26 Looks like these folks have the white you're looking for: store.commercialscreen.com/1shot_speeddrywhite.aspx
@2degucitas5 жыл бұрын
My graphics dept. boss would add a drop or two of glycerin to water based paints to make it thicker and smoother.
@davidographicsguy5 жыл бұрын
That’s cool! I’ve heard of that, but I never tried it. Did you get to see your boss letter?
@Scott-hn6on7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for all the palleting tips. For me, that has been the struggle. Its easy to get frustrated when the paint isnt flowing and the heal of the brush is gunky. Your a great teacher and keep posting! Do you Instagram? There are a bunch of talent painters on there.
@davidographicsguy7 жыл бұрын
So true, we lose track of time and gunkiness sneaks up on us. I will check out instagram thank you for the tip!
@Scott-hn6on7 жыл бұрын
Also any tips on brush oils for after cleaning? Im using coconut cooking oil, which I use for just about everything, but not sure if that is recommended.
@davidographicsguy7 жыл бұрын
Neatsfoot oil. Online or where horse and saddle equipment are sold. Decades ago we used to use lard oil or transmission fluid. I hope this helps. Thank you!
@jaydb075 жыл бұрын
I want to better understand that tap or gizmo to allow pouring the paint from the can. Like a tap or pour spout.
@davidographicsguy5 жыл бұрын
We use these bottles now instead. Store them in your box upside down so the paint doesn’t dry in the nozzle: stevekafka.com/products/paint-bottle
@thatmobsta Жыл бұрын
Would you mind giving me more info on the panel as far as what material it is and how you got it printed on there and laminated? Did you do it all yourself or get it done at a staples or kinkos type place?
@davidographicsguy Жыл бұрын
It needs to be matte laminated, so probably a sign shop is your best bet.
@thatmobsta Жыл бұрын
Is it an acm panel ? Thanks
@davidographicsguy Жыл бұрын
Yes
@randy1ization6 жыл бұрын
I think theres a good chance it is "wet look" harder used in automotive acrylic enamel paint systems.
@davidographicsguy6 жыл бұрын
This stuff does that: www.eastwood.com/one-shot-hardener-16-oz.html
@davidographicsguy6 жыл бұрын
It's mostly used to harden 1-Shot lettering enamels for pinstriping vehicles.
@kurtmcrobert89944 жыл бұрын
This is a great video, very thorough. I’ve been trying to find that Mike Stevens tape for awhile. I’d love to see it. I wonder if you could get permission from his estate to publish it???
@davidographicsguy4 жыл бұрын
Great question Kurt. Sign Craft Magazine has been approached to release the video but nothing materialized. I’m surprised it hasn’t been posted yet. I know I’m not the only one who has a copy. Mine is pretty poor quality as it is a VHS version. Thank you!
@randywizek57063 жыл бұрын
I contacted Tom McIltrot the publisher of Sign Craft Magazine after watching David's KZfaq. He is earnestly attempting to get Mike's original VHS tape converted to digital. Mike's daughter passed a few years ago and getting this done has been at a veritable standstill. But he assures me that it is in the works. Would love to have it. His wit and candor in the Mastering Layout book and the 10 edition Mike Stevens Journal (pretty much the same thing) would be great to check out live
@Feldspar__7 жыл бұрын
Great explanations and details that were missing from Mikes video. That mahl stick is epic. What material did you use to make your pallet with?
@davidographicsguy7 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Wouldn't it be awesome if he had made more videos with detailed instructions? The pallet is scrap 1/8" veneer wood and some 1/4" stock glued on for the card holder, then the whole thing was sprayed with black Plastidip for better gripping. The little plastic cup is a cough syrup dispenser.
@Feldspar__7 жыл бұрын
davidographicsguy Fantastic. Thank you. Yes, I'd love to be able to sit down with him and watch the work. Next time I'm in Santa Cruz, dinner's on me.
@TIS7256 жыл бұрын
Awesome!! Do you know where I can get this #4 lettering brush? You say it’s better then a kwill. But on his site he only has kwills, scripts, etc. :)
@davidographicsguy6 жыл бұрын
Ah! On another video I’m comparing his brushes with a traditional QUILL brush. He calls his lettering brushes KWILLS with a K, W. It’s a play on words. Yes, get his #2 and #4 if you can. Those are the brushes to start with for most 1 1/2” to 3” tall letters. Have fun!!! 😀 stevekafka.com/products/kwill
@TIS7256 жыл бұрын
I got his 2,4,6,8 Kwills in yesterday, going to practice with them today!
@davidographicsguy6 жыл бұрын
Awesome! Please keep me updated. I would love to know how they work for you.
@TIS7256 жыл бұрын
Practiced with the 2&4 today... I am loving whem so far but taking longer to get used to, as I am used to the Luco quill that is shorter. I also got the script set, GRID,cup holder & Preserving oil :)
@davidographicsguy6 жыл бұрын
That’s great Joe! The most important thing is to pallet your brush with every stroke. It will keep your strokes uniformed and smooth, and give you much more control. Can you send me your practice photos? thesignshopsc@comcast.net
@GoldenWestSignArts6 жыл бұрын
Such great videos! I can't seem to find those Utrecht brushes..do you know if they still make them?
@davidographicsguy6 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Here you go: www.utrechtart.com/item/?itemno=1006159
@GoldenWestSignArts6 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for the link. Going to give them a try for outlining window splashes. Again, your videos are really great!
@davidographicsguy6 жыл бұрын
Those brushes LIVE for window splash outlining.
@thatmobsta Жыл бұрын
These Utrecht brushes seem to be discontinued I’ve searched everywhere, is there an alternative option you can recommend?
@thatmobsta Жыл бұрын
@@davidographicsguy these Utrecht brushes seem to be discontinued do you have an alternative option you can recommend. I’ve searched everywhere and can’t find the 230 series
@barbaratetenbaum21904 жыл бұрын
Lacquer thinner is very carcinogenic! How are you protecting yourself? (Have to mention this since some viewers don't yet know this.) Great lettering, btw.
@davidographicsguy4 жыл бұрын
I agree Barbara, it even dissolved latex gloves if you saturate them in it long enough. I use gloves for anything with a label that says “flammable” Thank you for your kind words!
@randy1ization6 жыл бұрын
Try kafkas smooth stroke
@davidographicsguy6 жыл бұрын
Yes, Thank you, I just recently started using it. Steve says its purpose is to prevent fish eye. He only uses an eye drop or two. Do you use it to reduce the paint?
@ChristinePhamtastik4 жыл бұрын
What brush is used? Thanks
@davidographicsguy4 жыл бұрын
stevekafka.com/products/kwill
@ChristinePhamtastik4 жыл бұрын
davidographicsguy thank you!
@amethystjean17446 жыл бұрын
But the g looks like j
@davidographicsguy6 жыл бұрын
I know what you mean. There are some subtle structural differences and we can use the long sweeping J if the word needs the clarity. That might be why Mike used these but it’s just my guess. Thank you!
@johndilauro4884 Жыл бұрын
Mike Stevens script...??...... looks like he was very influenced by Bill Boley
@davidographicsguy Жыл бұрын
I wouldn’t be surprised, everyone borrows from everyone else. Mike got this script version from his friend and fellow letterer Terry Wells.