Professional Training for Signpainters, Lettering Artists and Designers.
NEW COURSE NOW AVAILABLE!
LETTERING BRUSH MASTERY
COURSES
IN WHAT ORDER SHOULD I DO THE COURSES?
Step 1. The Basics.
SIGN PAINTING FIRST STEPS
If you are brand new to the craft of Signwriting with little or no knowledge about the basics such as Paint and Brush Types, Tools, Materials, and Basic Sign Painting Processes then you should start with SIGN PAINTING FIRST STEPS where you will become familiar with all of these things. Once you have completed this introductory course you will have a solid understanding of what supplies you will need to get started as a signwriter and how to use them, along with how to go about making a quality MDO Plywood Sign from raw panel preparation to completion as John demonstrates multiple processes and techniques to create a decorative "Pub Sign" from start to finish. As a beginner signwriter this is all required knowledge before picking up a lettering brush.
Step 2. BRUSH SKILLS.
LETTERING BRUSH MASTERY
Once you have obtained the above knowledge you'll be ready to pick up a brush and begin your Brush Skills Training with LETTERING BRUSH MASTERY. This is a skills focused course that guides you through the process of learning to correctly use a Sign Lettering Brush, from understanding Brush Anatomy, Brush Grips, Mahl Stick Usage, Paint Consistency, Brush Techniques, and Executing the Foundational Brush Strokes all the way through to Writing a Signpainter's Block Alphabet. This course assumes you already have the basic knowledge about tools and materials taught in SIGN PAINTING FIRST STEPS.
Step 3. LEARN TO DRAW LETTERING
UNDERSTANDING & DRAWING GOTHIC LETTERFORMS
A crucial part of being a signwriter is being able to draw professional standard lettering.
UNDERSTANDING & DRAWING GOTHIC LETTERFORMS is the most comprehensive course of its kind and will teach you how to do just that by thoroughly exploring Letter Structure and providing you with a duplicatible system that will allow you to confidently draw countless versions of Gothic or "Sans Serif" lettering.
You will then be guided step by step through drawing each capital letter and numeral of a refined signwriter's "Block Letter" alphabet, and then be shown how to use John's system to modify the typeface by altering Stroke Weights, Extending, Condensing and Italicizing the letters to create an infinite number of variations allowing you to create your own custom styles and avoid making the common mistakes often found in hand drawn lettering.
This course can be taken at any stage of your learning journey as it does not require any prior knowledge or skills related to tools or materials and is suitable for all types of Lettering Artists and Designers, not just Signwriters.
All of these courses are available in Discounted Bundle Combinations so there is a package that's just right for you!
Meet Your Instructor.
Hi, I'm John King. I have been a Traditional Hand Lettering Artist since 1986 and spent my childhood amongst the golden wheat fields of North-Eastern Victoria, Australia during the 1970's.
At the age of 15 I fell in love with the traditional art form of hand lettering when my high school art teacher introduced me to a talented local Sign Craftsman.
I spent the next 4 years learning the craft of Traditional Signwriting from two of Australia’s leading Sign Craftsmen before opening my own sign business at age 21. During this time my work developed a reputation for creative and innovative design. In fact, visitors to the rural city of Shepparton can still see signage artwork created during the 1990's by my business "John King Signs" which still operates today under the ownership of a former employee and his brother.
After selling the business in 2001 I moved to the "Big Smoke" Melbourne to broaden my horizons where I spent two years teaching Sign Trade Apprentices at Victoria University which ignited my passion for teaching the craft.
In 2010 I moved to the USA to pursue my creative endeavors and now teach my traditional hand lettering skills online as well as with live workshops in my Los Angeles studio.
What Others Say
"As someone who's been training Signwriting Apprentices for many years and has seen the technical changes evolve in the industry i found it refreshing to have worked with John King. Not only does he have the gift of being a fantastic Signwriter but he also has a passion for the traditional skills and is happy to pass them on via his videos and workshops. His work is an inspiration to anyone wanting to learn the craft of Hand Lettering. Every piece of work I've ever seen from John has been top quality."
- John Craddock, Retired Teacher/Dept. Head Victoria University Sign Training Department,Melbourne Australia
My first experience with enamel paint and a mahl stick was at John King’s workshop. Wasn’t sure what to expect but, I definitely felt like it was a great introduction to the world of sign painting. John was very thorough with his demonstrations and teaching. John really took the time to teach us the foundation of letterforms and even some key ideas to consider when doing layouts. He also covered all of the basics of brush care, and even how to properly hold the brush. I particularly enjoyed watching him demonstrate his technique for his signature, script letter style. I left his workshop with a solid foundation and was eager to continue to learn the craft. Definitely appreciate John taking the time to teach us what he has learned over the years .
-Perla Gallegos, Superlative Signs, Burbank , CA, USA
I began hand lettering in 2017. My first formal lesson was a live Script and Casual Lettering Workshop with John King. The class was great and I've taken several others from John as well. John shares his extensive experience and knowledge freely and is able to adapt his teaching to students’ individual needs and skill levels. I am fortunate and grateful to have started with John King's classes. He is always supportive, both in class and with projects I've done on my own. John King is one of the BEST!
Jim Bradney, Long beach, CA, USA.
John King is an excellent teacher! He provides practical learning, is very straight forward and easy to understand. Whether you’re a novice or a pro there is much to learn from him. John is very experienced and put to rest any doubts I may have had on jumping into the art of sign painting. Thanks John for doing your part in keeping this craft alive!
-Michael Irizarry, Cankicker Signs, San Pedro, CA, USA
John King’s lettering courses are not only a great time but the amount of information you learn is insane! John’s teaching style is very motivating and very easy to follow.
-Raina Oldstone, Cankicker Signs, San Pedro CA, USA
As a sign painter I am constantly looking for ways to elevate the craft. John King's course was an excellent resource for me to grow as a craftsmen, and hone in my abilities under a skilled veteran of the field. King’s lessons were well thought out and detailed. They provided with me with insightful tips and techniques I have since used to curate my own style in the sign painting world.
-Sean Joyce, Southpaw Signs, Long Island, NY, USA
The Joy of Signwriting!
Creating Hand Painted Signage is an extremely popular, fulfilling and rewarding art-form whether it be done as a hobby, side hustle or full time professional endeavour.
As a lettering loving teenager I was fortunate to be introduced by my art teacher to an extremely talented local signwriter through my high school Work Experience program. I arrived for my first day of work thinking that Sign Shops only produced boring looking "No Parking" signs and the likes thereof hence expecting a boring two weeks of my life, but I couldn't have been more wrong! As I passed through the reception office into the large workshop area my mind was both blown and made up in a matter of seconds as to what career I would be pursuing at the end of the school year. By some twist of fate I was standing in one of the most creative Sign Shops in the country headed by a brilliant sign artist who I still regard as one of the world's best, Winton Francis. The workshop was adorned with beautiful "practice panels" that were actually signwriting masterpieces which covered the 14ft tall walls from top to bottom. One of the craftsmen, Simon was at the rear of the factory airbrushing a mural of an 8ft tall sparkling Harley Davidson headlight alongside some huge chrome effect letters painted on shiny black metal panels. To my left another sign artist, Rob was brush lettering the side of a boat, painting perfect circles and straight sharp lines that I couldn't believe were humanly possible while on my right two huge Kenworth trucks sat nose to tail patiently receiving Winton's beautiful pinstripe and scroll work for which he was famous along with the standard magical door lettering.
From that moment onwards Signwriting and Lettering became my obsession and I was lucky enough to spend the next 4 years working for and learning from Winton and eventually another master craftsman who was a mentor to him named Arthur German. Both men were equally brilliant with different styles. Winton was a master artist renowned for his highly spontaneous and ornate lettering and sign design while Arthur was was a like lettering and layout scientist with a technique and reason for every aspect of his beautiful bold and vivid geometric layouts and perfect letter-forms.
I was very lucky to fall into this small pond of enormous talent and learn from two masters of contrasting styles which led me into my own successful business at a young age, and am now grateful that this new age of technology, along with facilitating a resurgence in and amplifying the popularity of this fulfilling craft, now allows me to share the lessons I've learnt during the last four decades with like-minded Lettering Enthusiasts all over the world.
I hope to see you inside!
-John King
