Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Thunderchicken on August 20, 2010, 11:07:05 AM
-
As part of my Victorian build project I'm thinking of painting some advertisements or other signage straight onto walls. A bit like this but much simpler:
(http://a.imageshack.us/img821/6090/ghostb.jpg)
The first one I want to do is very straightforward and will be white writing on a black backgound covering an area of about 10cm by 4cm.
I've had some thoughts on how to do it, freehand is out of the question; tried it and couldn't pull it off. I also searched the local hobby supplier (Hobbycraft) for stencils but couldn't find anything small enough or in a sensible font.
Does anyone have any other ideas how to approach this or know a source of decent small stencils? I'd imagine the lettering will be about 10mm.
-
Speak to Svennn ;)
-
Have you thought in the train modeling scenery? I remember haver seen some decals of add like this one in some catalogues in the web.
-
Is the wall smooth or with brick detail? In the first case (including some slight roughness), dry transfers (Letraset) might work - there are some brands that are not too expensive. Applying them is a bit of a chore, though, especially for longer words.
-
You could always stencil it out yourself. If you have a printer that is. :)
-
I should have said, the writing will be on brick walls. I've used decals on some of my other buildings but this time I wanted to use paint to make any subsequent weathering hassle free and keep the brickwork visible. Dry transfers is something to consider if it will work.
Making my own stencil is a last resort but still an option.
Malamute, I'm giving Svennn a break ;)
-
You could, of course, get templates photo-etched. http://www.chempix.com in Birmingham do such services, but I don't know for certain if they also cater to private customers; otherwise, you might get one of the various model railroading magazines and check the adverts for other companies offering such services.
I don't have personal experience with these companies, but Chempix appear to be a legit business.
In that case, you would probably have to provide vector graphics of the pieces in question. Single-letter templates would be the most practical, I guess, more so than single logos or company names.
-
Making my own stencil is a last resort but still an option.
It doesn't take that much time to do, besides you do have the advantage of making it fit the building directly :)
-
Do you have a Print shop or a Staples in the area? They should have a selection of stencils in assorted sizes.
-
Would something like this work?
http://www.artdiscount.co.uk/product/helix_4_piece_stencil_set/
-
Pwehaps a home made stencil with a bit of a drybrush
-
This piece of advertising adorns the wall next to the Police station in Cockermouth, Cumbria:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/2826151036_4f0f3acb1d_o.jpg)
Colour version here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29959705@N08/2877167170/
It's in a very sensible font, and has probably been there for a hundred years or more. Shouldn't be too difficult to copy freehand.
Probably. :D
-
Perhaps print the sign out and then use decoupage to glue it down? You know, that gluey stuff you soak the paper in and mash it down with a brush so the paper conforms to the surface of the object being covered.
-
If I'm on a break perhaps I should not reply.
I would forget simple and go with something like your first pic as it is more in keeping with the quality of the buildings.
As I am not replying I shall not say that I could make a custom water slide decal 10x4cm and you could get it to wrap the brickwork by using Microsol and weather it all after a coat of lacquer.
-
Svenn did not say that. Svenn is not here :o
lol
cheers
James
-
Hi to all,
I worked with vinyl plotters for a long time, and the possibilities for stencils on paintmask are endless. Just draw or write anything you want in Illustrator or another vector software and plot it. Next step is applying said stencils on your wall (paintmask has sticky backing) and add paint. Great thing is you can make additional stencils for drop shadows, other colors, etc. A vinyl plotter can be hard to find though, and the process can rapidly become expensive, but considering how great your buildings look, it might be a sound investment.
Also, I know Woodland Scenics sell dry transfers designed specifically for that purpose, but from what I've seen they're clearly designed to be used in a late forties, early fifties settings (some of them would be great for Atomic Cafe). I'm sure some other company offers a more historically appropriate product, especially in Europe.
Yours truly,
Sir Dryden
-
Woodland Scenics has a very extensive line of decals for just what you are wanting to do. They are available at most hobby supply stores or sites and are relatively inexpensive. Then there is the fact that they are period type signs that should fit in with your victorian theme pretty well.
-
the problem with transfers, dry or otherwise, is not only that they are trick to apply to a textured surface but also that if that texture is deep, then when you look perpedicularly at them the letters will look stretched an compressed in places where the letters wrap around the texture.
The best way to do it is airbrushed or dabbed through a stencil. I've vut larger lettered stencils by hand with a lot of success (and a v sharp knife), but its tricky.
I think these days I would have the stencil laser cut from card or say 0.5mm styrene sheet. its not the cheapest but there are a few people that could maybe help you out.
i'd recommend fenris games - have been exceedingly helpful to me, but clearly they need to make money and there are minimum volumes etc
http://www.fenrisgames.com/
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Fenris-Games
-
I know it sounds like a chore, but if You can't get stencils, do Your own un sticky foil or broad tape.
I think it would fit the brickwork best - You can even dry brush it on so it looks weathered.
a more complicated way (if You don't feel up to cutting out letters) would be to buy sticky letters in a hobby shop, arrange them how You need on the wall, mask all thinly with Maskol, pull the letters off and then You have Your one way stencil
-
Just paint it you lazy bugger lol
cheers
James
-
If you stencil, one item of caution - the 3d effect of the brickwork can lead to fuzzy edges if the paint is dabbed on. This is a job where an airbrush really stands out.
-
These two articles on the Military Modelling magazine website might come in handy, esp part two.
http://www.militarymodelling.com/news/article.asp?a=4083#
http://www.militarymodelling.com/news/article.asp?a=4084
Hope it helps.
-
Thanks chaps. More than helpful as usual. Watch this space ::).
Jimbib and JB, I've tried freehand and the result was amusingly bad. Thinkng about it perhaps a tot or two of rum would steady the hand....
-
Would a rubber stamp not work better.
Don't know where you would get a suitable one though.
-
I thought on those lines and they had kits for making stamps in Hobbycraft - £18 though!
-
Would a rubber stamp not work better.
this is an amazing idea !!
I guess some thicker rubber sheet could be easily cut into a set of simple letters and then glued to a support
can rearrange the writing anytime!
-
You can get rubber stamps made quite cheaply if you go to a flexographic plate maker. Until recently I worked in this industry and have had dozens made over the years.
The design would only hit the raised bricks whereas the real thing does appear on the mortar too so I don't think it would work properly - give an interesting effect but not the required one.
-
Looking at the picture again you can see the mortar is not painted?
Or are my eyes knackered?
-
I didnt look at his picture, I just went from memory and the ones I looked at whilst dragged out with the missus earlier ::) (wanted an embarrassed icon)
I can confirm that my eyes are knackered though
-
I'd guess "filling out" the areas the stamp "missed" would still be easier than a full-blown freehand, and should even be managable by our amusingly clumsy thread opener...
Barring stenciling, I guess the rubber stamp suggestion is the best option offered so far.