Commercial brush lettering styles are integral to the professional appearance of a painted sign. Such styles have often served as inspiration for display typefaces used by graphic designers, and sign makers alike. The warmth and charm of brush-made letterforms have ubiquitous appeal for a wide range of applications.

Through weekly brush lettering demonstrations and instructional lectures, students will be taught the basics of brush lettering and layout. Students will practice exercises and work on projects designed to build skills and to develop an eye for letter anatomy, proportions, and details. Classes will be held online. Therefore, students will be expected to set up an appropriate work space to participate. Letterform model sheets and traditional layout exemplars will be shared as pdfs throughout the course as reference for practice. These will be useful as digital files on screen or as printed material. Individual and group commentary will provide valuable feedback for each student to progress according to ability.

The styles to be taught are Block, Half Block, Thick and Thin, and Speed Stroke Casual. Each of these styles has its own separate set of structural rules. In addition, basic principles of layout will be addressed. Students will learn how to use a flat ferrule lettering brush with tempera paint to form a set of foundation strokes, and then to construct characters from the component strokes.

Session 1
Straight strokes for Block Capitals with a stem-to-height ratio of 1:5

Session 2
Curved strokes for Block Capitals with a stroke-to-height ratio of 1:5

Session 3
Alphabet practice for Block, and introduction to Half Block letters

Session 4
Introduction to Block Italic, and additional alphabet practice

Session 5
Introduction to Thick & Thin, plus adjusting the widths and weights

Session 6
Thick & Thin in the Half Block style and how to use the cut-in method

Session 7
Layout principles, using all letter styles covered previously. Final assignment will be given at the end of class, as homework. (Not compulsory, but the assignment must be done for participation in the final live critique during last session)

Session 8 
Layout principles continued, plus a comprehensive critique and recap. Question & Answer period to follow.

The main objective is for participants to acquire a depth of familiarity with the conventional styles of 20th-century sign letters, and to learn to make and use them as they were meant to be used graphically. No prior lettering experience is necessary, but typography and graphic design experience would be helpful. Knowledge of commercial fonts is also a bonus. Beginners are welcome. The instructor will work to provide useful challenges and projects, tailored to the experience levels of lettering artists who join. Feedback will also be given.

Required Materials

• A computer or device with reliable internet connection
• A workspace with either a slanted board on a top table of 15° to 45° or a drafting table big enough to hold 14" x 22" card stock
• Sharpie fine tip marker, black
• Mack Golden Taklon 1/4” and 1/2" series 162 flat brush
• Blick Premium Tempera (black)
• 12 sheets of 22” x 28” sheets of white railroad board. Please cut each sheet in half to yield two pieces 14” by 22” as our standard working size.
• 12 pieces of 4” x 4” scraps of corrugated cardboard
• stick charcoal
• pencil
• eraser
• masking tape
• clear or frosted cellophane tape
• scissors and x-acto knife
• water containers
• cotton rags or paper towels
• apron or smock
• bar soap for brush clean up
• access to a printer to print out exemplars

This course meets online for 8 consecutive weeks. Class size will be limited to 14 people to allow for individual feedback. 

Registration for this class will open on January 6. 

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