Sunday, February 10, 2013

Here Comes the Sun - Handpainted Sign Tutorial

I am so ready!
 
This happens every winter.
 
I need a splash of bright color.
 
This makes me happy.
 
 
 
 
Pin It!
 
 
I thought you might like some sunshine
 
in your home too.
 
The signs at Go Jump in the Lake
 
are so cool, I thought I would
 
give it my own twist .
 
 
Here's how to get it -
 
I started with 1/2" plywood 21" X 26".
 
Paint the back any color really.
 
I use semi-gloss black.
 
Paint the edges with a water extended Burnt Umber.
 
 
 
 
The base coat is a mix of Kilz and Yellow.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It might take two or three coats
 
ending up with mostly yellow for the base.
 
I get impatient and have to use my blow dryer
 
between coats.
 
 
 
 
Apricot is the shade color on the edges.
 
 
 
 
I used Photoshop to layout my lettering.
 
Brush Script Std font.
 
 
 
 
Pencil the back of the letter template.
 
I use my window for a light box.
 
You could also chalk the back
 
depending on the base color.
 
 
 
 
Use a pen to transfer from the front.
 
A pen keeps a sharper line when you press.
 
Actually I could have pressed a little lighter
 
because my lines transferred darker that I wanted.
 
 
 
 
I filled in the lettering with white kilz first
 
then whatever other white you might like.
 
 
 
 
The lettering didn't show up quite enough on the yellow
 
so I put a light raw sienna shade on the right and bottom
 
of the letters with a 1/4" flat brush.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Isn't it fun how color
 
can make such an impact on your mood.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pin It!
 
Hey friends - Bright Days and Blessings,
 
Deb
 
"If you are filled with light
with no dark corners
your whole life will be radiant."
Luke 11:36.
 
 
 
Link Parties:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


38 comments:

Fanciful Ponderings said...

I never thought of transferring the lettering like that. Every one always shows cutting out the letters and using as a stencil. Excellent tutorial, thank you!

20 North Ora said...

Deb - What a cute sign and so bright and cheerful! Just what I needed today. Thanks.

Judy

Twice Nice said...

From your sign to God's ear! Post Christmas I'm always looking for some color to beat the Winter blues. Your sign is perfect!

Pitter and Glink said...

Love it! Great tutorial. :)

Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside said...

I love it! Right now, we need the sun down here in Louisiana! Thanks for the great tutorial! Have a blessed week!

Laurel Stephens said...

Your cheerful sign made me smile this morning. I love it!

Ruth said...

Your sign is fabulous. We have had almost two feet of snow this weekend followed by rain today, and I am certainly ready for spring sunshine. Love, love, love this.
Ruth

Marisa Howard Design said...

Love the bright and sunny colours!

Mindi@MyLove2Create said...

I love it, so happy and cheerful, just what I need too! Great job!

Unknown said...

Beautiful beautiful and so bright and fun! I love it

Unknown said...

Oh I just adore this! So happy and sunny.. what a great idea!
xoxo
Amie @ Pinkapotamus

Anonymous said...

What a great sign and thanks for sharing the "how to". Great bit of scripture too. Many blessings. :)

Anonymous said...

I love this! The color and the message! Thanks for showing us how you did it!
Jan

Dori at The Red Feedsack said...

Thank you for your comment on my Fresh Eggs sign. I hopped over here to check out your blog and I LOVE THIS SIGN!!!!!! I also love your tutorial. So fantastic. I think I needed it before I made mine - I was winging it the whole time. Looking forward to spending some more time browsing around your blog. Thank you!!!!!

Rasonda @ East Conolly Cottage said...

You are SO talented Deb. Love it!!!!

Debbie @ MeandMyDIY said...

Love it Deb, as always. You do such a nice job choosing colors and mixing them together. The results are always so pleasing to look at. Great job!

Debbie

Miss Kitty said...

Thanks for sharing all these great tips on sign painting with us. I love your projects. I saw your b\post over at Stone Gable blog.

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

You make it look so easy that I will have to give it a try. Thanks so much for sharing.
~ Ahrisha~

Gretchen said...

I've been looking at tutorials for making signs lately because I have one in mind for my bedroom....this one's nice and clear; going to pin it so I can come back when I get around to my project--thanks! And your sign looks great :)

Jessica@designerssweetspot.blogspot.com said...

This is really helpful! I always wondered how people use the computer to do lettering on signs, I do all mine with stencils and I never like the way they look. Nicely job!

Korrie@RedHenHome said...

So cute!

Jenn said...

I seriously love this sign and you make it look so easy. I love that Beatles song too :) Pinned incase I ever dare attempt it myself.

Unknown said...

Such a cute sign! Saw you over at Six Sisters link party and had to come and check it out.

I'd love for you to link up a few projects at my weekend link party that is going on right now @The Weekend re-Treat!

Hope to see you there!

Scary @ Shaffer Sisters said...

BEautiful. I love the colors great, remind me that summer is coming someday!

The Project Palace said...

Stopping over from the Six Sisters link party but have noticed your sign on a few others as well! It just kept catching my eye! I've made a few signs of my own but never used this technique before. I'm excited to try it out! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for linking to Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill. You are being featured this evening!
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, and join me tomorrow night for Make the Scene Monday #62!

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Bright and happy with a great vintage feel!

Becky said...

Beautiful summer sentiment :) LOVELY!

Kathy said...

LOVE it! Beautiful way to bring the brightness of the sunshine indoors - I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy

Theresa said...

You are my featured pin on Pinterest this week! Thanks for linking up & sharing on DearCreatives.com drop by & pick up a featured button tomorrow (or from last weeks linkup post). Hope to see you again this week.

Unknown said...

So glad you could come over and link up this cute sign last weekend!

Hope you visit again and link up a few of your other projects this weekend @The Weekend re-Treat!

Hope to see you there!

Anonymous said...

great tute! I'm pinning this one too. Little Bit from www.DecorateWithaLittleBit.com

Unknown said...

Fantastic your awesome Lake Girl!

Piera said...

Hello! I have discovered through http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/ and I did not think for a moment to join your visitors. I love your table and as you slide the brush in the colors .. anchio by pocho I started doing the boards first with image transfer and I enjoy it a lot .. then you soon. Greetings from Italy. by

ReCreated Furniture said...

Love this! But I do have a question for you. It looks like you printed the sign from photoshop onto regular paper in your own printer. I've tried and tried to find a way to print a psd file to my printer and can't figure it out. Any tips? I'm using Elements, btw.

Deb Hrabik said...

When I am in Photoshop, I print right out of there clicking File>Print. Next, I have to uncheck the "Center" box and adjust the settings left, right, up and down to print large pieces.
Otherwise, you can save as a jpg. and print from your picture file (but the size won't be the same).
I wish I could be of more help.
Hope it starts working for you,
Deb

Roberta said...

I learned in a folk-art painting class to use charcoal paper to transfer patterns. Just place the charcoal paper, charcoal side down on the board and put your lettering on top. Use a ball tipped stylist pen, and trace your letters, comes out very clear.

Deb Hrabik said...

Hi Roberta -
Yes! Great idea. I have used that before too, but many times I don't have that on hand, so pencil lead is always available.
Thanks so much!
Appreciate your comment,
Deb