Hand-painted signs

    The commercial signs of yesteryear, all painted by hand, offer a kind of beauty, personality, and longevity that today’s industrial and vinyl signs have been unable to duplicate. Mia is one of only 300 traditional sign painters in the UK with a background in the arts and graphic design who can take your ideas from a spark to a final enduring hand-painted sign.
    A hand-painted sign is a one-of-a-kind invitation that speaks volumes about the establishment, the people behind it and the products inside.

    Ideal for shop facias, fanlights, vehicles house numbers, or any other statement that belongs on a wall, window or sign.

    Gilding & Gold

    I offer expert gilding services to add a touch of opulence to your signage or artwork. I am experienced in both oil gilding and glass gilding techniques, using only the finest quality metal foils to ensure a long-lasting and flawless finish. Oil gilding involves applying a thin layer of gold leaf or metal foil to a surface coated with a special adhesive, allowing it to dry before burnishing it to create a polished, reflective surface. Glass gilding, on the other hand, involves applying the metal foil to the underside of a glass surface, resulting in a vibrant, translucent finish.
    Whether you’re looking to add gilding to a shop sign, window display, or artwork, I will work closely with you to understand your vision and bring it to life with meticulous attention to detail. From traditional gold leaf gilding to contemporary metallic finishes, I can create a gilded artwork that is unique and tailored to your specific needs.

    Acid Etching & Brilliant Cutting

    I offer both acid etching and brilliant cutting services. Acid etching is a versatile technique that can be used to create a range of effects, from simple frosted designs to intricate patterns and lettering. The process involves applying a stencil or resist material to the glass surface, and then using hydrofluoric acid for etching away the exposed areas. The result is a frosted or textured surface that diffuses light and provides privacy.
    Brilliant cutting is a more precise and detailed technique that involves using a diamond-tipped wheel to cut into the glass surface. This allows for intricate designs and patterns to be created.
    Both acid etching and brilliant cutting are ideal for use in various applications, including windows, doors, mirrors, and glass partitions. They can be used to create various effects, from simple patterns and designs to intricate works of art.

    Design

    I am a skilled graphic designer who has honed my craft through years of experience and a natural talent for art and design. My background in the arts has given me a deep appreciation for lettering and form, which is reflected in my work. I understand that even the most minor detail can significantly impact the overall design, and I take great care to ensure that every line, curve, and stroke is precisely executed.
    In addition to my technical skills, I also have a keen sense of creativity and artistic vision. Whether I’m working on a sign, a logo, or a piece of artwork, I approach each project with passion and a commitment to quality. I constantly push myself to grow and develop as a designer, experimenting with new techniques and styles to expand my repertoire.

     

    Traditional Signwriting Terminology

    Brilliant-cutting: a form of decoration made on glass by means of a wheel with which various types of cuts may be made that are subsequently smoothed and polished. In this context brilliantcutting is traditionally seen in old pubs.

     

    Cutting-in: painting the outlines of a design.

     

    Gilding: the process of applying gold leaf.

     

    Gilder’s tip: a wide, flat brush of fine squirrel hair used for picking up sheets of loose gold leaf.

    Glass-etching: a technique that consists of applying acidic, caustic, or abrasive substances to the surface of the glass in order to roughen its texture in selected areas with the end goal of creating a design.

     

    Glue-chipping: glass that has been etched and covered in warm, wet hide glue. As the glue cools, it attaches to the rough glass. As it dries, it shrinks and rips thin shards off the surface in a fern-like random pattern. Gilding onto a glue-chipped surface is very effective.

     

    Mahl stick: a thin pole usually around 2-3 feet long with a padded leather or rubber tip, used to steady the brush hand while painting.

    Pouncing: technique involving the use of a pouncing wheel to transfer an image from a thin surface onto a much larger surface. Pounce the design to punch small holes intro the paper. Then layer the design over the surface to be painted on before applying special chalk with a pounce pad to transfer the design. You’re then left with a dotted outline of your design to paint/gild.

     

    Size: an adhesive, either water- or oil-based, which is used to stick gold leaf to a surface.