Should I buy some proper sign-writing paint?

Sounds like you need to book yourself on a signwriting course. I am tempted at some stage myself, not cheap though, see here:-

https://www.carterssteamfair.co.uk/courses.html

 

As you say, not cheap, and I'm fairly satisfied with what I'm currently doing all self taught, just these specific shadows that have me scratching my head a little.

 

Maybe just use a grey paint but very thinned with a lot of white spirit so it is a watery wash. It looks like the whole sign has faded so it may have been darker originally.

 

Try adding a small amount of pale brown paint to some varnish and use that for the secondary shading. Vary the amount of brown you add until you achieve a result that you are happy with.

Andy

 

Thanks Andy, that sounds like a plan.

 

I've seen that type of shading done with stippling ... although I can't recall where.

A dilute wash of either grey, brown or dark blue, is my suggestion.

 

Just for the sake of completion I tried the suggestions using thinned paint but I wasn't happy and went back to my original thought of mixing some woodstain in with some varnish. Some medium oak with a touch of dark oak and I was satisfied with the result:



(My phone's camera lens really does need cleaning! )

 

Excellent job, shadow is so subtle.

 

Great job Alex
For Broadway I presume?

Keith

 

Yes, to go in the cafe.

 

I think you nailed it there, Alex

 

If it really wasn't painted then it could only have been a varnish fix transfer but then to justify the print run it would have had to be a standard design that was widely used.

 

I think it was fairly widely used, I've seen at least 3 in varying condition. However I did look at the original I was copying on and was fairly sure it was hand painted. Anyway I managed to reproduce it to my satisfaction, and I'm glad you brought this thread back up again as it reminded me what mix I used which was handy, as I might have one or two more to do soon.

 

There is of course a third option of varnish fixing transfers as used traditionally by the railways. On the Isle of Wight we have just secured a new supply of the special paper and will be having some transfers printed soon.

 

That is excellent news Nick, I imagine that the supplier is abroad?

 

Indian supplier Gary, Pete found the name and I negotiated the manufacture of a special batch of paper.