Specialization in handcrafted signage

The first model that we have learned has an inclination, but the Upright version, could be in roman typographical terms; that is, this variant has no inclination. It is important to know and practice this style, just like the Bold versions. How we saw it in the beginning, the brush works with pressure, if you use more pressure you can generate this style through thicker and heavier strokes.

Upright / Bold

Script

All the basic traits that we have learned can also be used to reproduce the Script model. Here we will learn how to do it, through the practice of the alphabet in lowercase letters.

15m

Definition of the project and references

The project consists of creating a promotional poster, inspired by the supermarket signs and made with casual letters. For this, we will analyze some posters, to find the meeting points in their composition and learn why they are efficient. The main idea is to inspire us in the supermarket sign, but we can have some other visual references and decontextualize our project a bit. Here I will tell you where the idea for my project came from and I will give you some ideas to make yours.

Bocetaje

It's time to download our ideas to paper. The important thing is to try different compositions and combinations, it is also not necessary to work each idea in detail and with a brush. We will practice different options, but do not forget that the only styles of letters that we will use are those learned in this course.

Development of the poster

Of the options or layouts that we have sketched it is necessary to select the best options and now yes, reproduce them with the brush. From here, we will work on the best idea over and over again, repeating as many times as necessary.

Refinement and final piece

Now I will show you how to transfer the sketch to our final support. Then, we will apply everything we have learned so far, taking care of our lines and detailing them so that they are very well done. Make it readable, nice and clean. Ready!

20m

Module 3

Chalk doesn’t just write — it transforms spaces. Cristina Pagnoncelli invites you to explore the art of chalk lettering, an expressive and charming technique that blends illustration, typography, and message. You’ll learn how to create compositions designed for murals, from choosing phrases to transferring them onto walls, with tips for achieving long-lasting and visually striking results.

13 lessons (1h 27m)

Chalk, support materials and the ideal blackboard

In this class, I will present all the materials I use to make my arts with chalk. I'll also tell you the secret to preparing an ideal blackboard surface to take advantage of all the nuances and textures possible with only school chalk.

Textures and drawing possibilities with chalk

In this class, I'm going to prove how it's possible to make amazing things with just white school chalk. You'll learn how to handle the tool to use it in infinite ways: make beautiful gradients, smoky or textured effects, taking advantage of everything that the technique allows.

Cleaning and finishing tips

In this class, I'll give you tips on how to clean up and keep your chalk art under control. I know chalking isn't always as easy as it looks, but with the right tricks, you'll master this technique in no time!

The choice of phrase for the project wall

Shall we start thinking about the project? In this class, you will see how to choose a phrase, brainstorm ideas of what can be illustrated, in addition to studying the possibilities and making the first drafts for the chalk board. Here we go?

Step by step lettering design

In this class, I'll show you step by step how I think about my letterings from the beginning. By choosing just one word from my project sentence, I will teach you how to add more elements, volume and depth to enrich the final result of the lettering.

How to give more movement to your arts

In this class, we're going to build on what we learned from the previous class and add movement. You can use distortions in a variety of ways, always looking to use guidelines to maintain the proportions and orientation of the letters.

Add other decorative elements and depth

Continuing with the learnings of this unit, your word can be inserted inside a banner or pennant to give more prominence and movement to the letters. Or, simply, you can work on shadows or 3D perspectives to give your art more depth.

The choice of styles and visual elements

In this class, I will talk about the importance of choosing all the elements of an art for good communication. From the font style and decorations to the color that will be used. Everything we draw communicates something. Images, figures and colors always convey a message beyond the written word.

Defining your artwork

After studying all these possibilities, it's time to define the final study of your project before moving to large format. Planning well in advance on paper and defining how to occupy the space on the wall is essential for a good result.

Enlargement of drawing for chalkboard wall

In this class, I'll explain how to enlarge paper art for the wall with scaled measurements if you don't have a projector.

Fills and textures

In this class, we're going to start filling in and fleshing out the art. You always need to start with the details of gradients and textures before defining the contours well.

Defining contours and details

The time has come to give more definition to the finishes of shadows made with rubber and delineate the strokes and contours well to provide more contrast and sharpness between the illustrated elements.

Finalization and registration

To close with a golden key, it's time to erase those little dirt left over from the chalk, give the last touches that are necessary, apply a fixative, if desired, and register to put this beauty on display for the world to see and enjoy!

Module 4

Vibrant colors, unique shapes, and words with intention — that’s how a sign that leaves a mark is made. With Christopher Rouleau as your guide, you’ll learn to combine painting and lettering techniques to create compositions that catch the eye and communicate with impact. It’s an invitation to express yourself visually through this timeless craft.

13 lessons (1h 48m)

Presentation of Supplies

In this lesson, I will review all the standard sign painting tools and materials. I’ll then show you the supplies you'll be working with to make your custom sign.

History of Sign Painting

Let's go back in time! In this lesson, we will take a brief look at the origins of sign painting. I will provide some historical context and introduce the traditional styles of lettering.

Hand-Painted Lettering Techniques 1

Now, I will show you how the magic happens! First, I will demonstrate how to set up your painting station. Then, I will model how to handle your paints and brushes. Finally, I will introduce how to start creating letterforms using precise, controlled paint strokes.

17m

Hand-Painted Lettering Techniques 2

In this lesson, we will continue the theme of practising our brushstrokes. You will create rounded, tapered, and uninterrupted lettering before starting your sign.

16m

Project Ideation, Sketching, and Refinement

In this lesson, I will show you how to approach the creative process from start to finish, with lots of examples of sketching and refinement.

Sign Prep and Image Transfer

This lesson will explore how to transfer your final design onto its surface.

In this lesson, I will guide you in painting the first part of the text.

Painting Your Sign Blue

Here, we will move on to the second part of the text.

Painting Your Sign Red

Painting Your Sign Yellow

Now, we will paint the third part of the text.

Touch-UPS

This lesson will focus on the special additions that will refine your piece. Namely, I will show you how to achieve a good level of opacity and do the necessary touch-ups.

Finishing and Hardware

Finally, let's take a moment to admire our finished signs. Now is the time to add a clear coat or layer of varnish. This will preserve and professionalize your image. Then, I will guide you in installing simple hardware to hang your sign.

Sharing Your Sign on Social Media

In this lesson, I will teach you how to professionally photograph your sign and thus make it shareable on social media. Then, you can build your portfolio!

Using Your Skills to Do Good in Your Community

To finish, I will talk about how to find sign painting opportunities in your community.

Module 5

Few surfaces draw attention like glass. With Alina Kiliwa, you’ll discover how to hand-letter on this material — exploring everything from the core concepts to the tools and techniques needed to achieve professional results. Learn to loosen your hand and transform any transparent surface into a message full of character and personal style.

13 lessons (1h 53m)

What are signs, calligraphy, lettering and typography?

In this lesson you will learn to differentiate a label from calligraphic work, lettering and typography. These concepts are important to understand the lyrics and be able to do a better final job.

Signage and popular graphics

I want to talk to you about the importance of the label maker's trade and share a little history with you.

Materials

I will explain the importance of knowing how to choose your materials. I will show you the brushes, paint and other tools that help us do our job better.

Vertical and horizontal strokes

In this unit you will become familiar with brushes and painting and I will teach you the first brush strokes and letters. I will talk to you about the correct way of working, as well as the importance of the position of our body and our work space.

With a little practice, I will teach you the family of letters with diagonal strokes to complete the alphabet.

Diagonal strokes

Curved strokes

The family of curved strokes is a bit particular in the unions of the curves, in this lesson I will teach you how to achieve them.

Compound strokes

To finish the alphabet, I will explain how to make letters that combine curved, diagonal and vertical strokes.

Numbers and punctuation marks

Finally, you will see how to draw the numbers and some signs.

Preparation of the poster

In this lesson we will make a poster with the alphabet practiced and learned.

Conceptualization and sketching of the phrase

For this first lesson you are going to find a nearby business to make a sign for them. You will learn composition basics and apply word ranking as in the previous unit, but we will add some reference alphabets.

13m

Practice on glass

Before I continue, I'll show you a practice on glass that comes in handy to loosen up your hand.

In this lesson you will practice some strokes on the glass and then start applying color to the glass.

Start painting

Finally I will teach you to give the last details, such as applying shadows and painting decorations.

Last details

Some works and bibliography I

Module 6

Among flowing lines and vivid colors, a painted tradition comes to life. Alfredo Genovese will guide you through the art of fileteado porteño, an iconic expression from Buenos Aires. You’ll learn to create a sign from scratch, exploring its history, symbolism, and rules of composition to bring phrases to life with identity, elegance, and visual joy.

20 lessons (3h 42m)

We will see in this lesson some filleted work aggiornados and adapted to more current supports.

Some works and bibliography II

I keep showing you more material

First of all, we'll talk a little about how to tackle a new filleting project.

Facing a project

The Drawing, the basis of everything 1

Now, I will teach you how to draw the basic figures of this style.

The Drawing, the basis of everything 2

This is the second part

13m

The Drawing, the basis of everything 3

And this is the third part.

Design of a simple filleted composition 1

Since you master the loose elements, I will teach you the rules of filleting to compose.

Design of a simple filleted composition 2

This is the second part.

The volume in drawing 1

Once we have the poster designed, I will tell you what is the basic technique to give volume to the figures. We will start practicing in pencil and then we will reproduce it with paint in the next unit.

The volume in drawing 2

This is the second part.

In this lesson we are going to define the final form of our poster. We will write the central sentence, compose the image with the rules learned, and finally we will drill it to make it ready for the next step.

Design of a poster

Materials and preparation of the support 1

Now I am going to tell you which are the materials that we will use to paint and how you should prepare the support for the poster.

Materials and preparation of the support 2

The second part

Stroke exercises to warm the hand

We are almost ready to start painting. But before, I leave you in this lesson some exercises with the brush, so that you loosen the hand and you can be more precise when filleting in the final support. It is important that you do this practice before moving on to the poster, because it will free you from the stress of being wrong.

In this lesson, we will do the basic painting of our poster with flat colors.

Flat colors

13m

Painting of light planes 1

Once the first layer has dried, we will proceed to paint the light planes to achieve greater depth and realism.

Painting of light planes 2

Second part.

Now, we will apply the shadows. This way we will be able to complete the play of lights that will give volume to our composition.

Application of shadows

Our poster is almost ready. We only have one last layer of very subtle paint. In this lesson, I will show you how and where to add a few small highlights to highlight some elements and add luminosity.

Glitter paint