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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:

  1. 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!

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

    Judy

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  3. 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!

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

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

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  6. 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

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

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  8. Beautiful beautiful and so bright and fun! I love it

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

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

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

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  12. 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!!!!!

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  13. 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

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  14. 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.

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

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  16. 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 :)

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  17. 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!

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  18. 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.

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  19. 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!

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

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  21. 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!

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  22. 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!

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  23. Beautiful summer sentiment :) LOVELY!

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

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  25. 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.

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  26. 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!

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

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  28. Fantastic your awesome Lake Girl!

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  29. 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

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  30. 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.

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  31. 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

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  32. 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.

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  33. 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

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