Restaurant Bar Mock-Up Sketch

I am excited for the trend that a few restaurants and businesses have been following, where  designs are hand-painted directly on their walls. While this is nothing new, it is refreshing to see many businesses putting value in the skill of traditional sign painting.

I created this piece today as an exercise/sketch for a restaurant/bar. I tried to come up with a fun, bold saying that would look nice in the small dining area around a larger bar setup. I used bold, yet legible typography that highlights some of their specialties, and a fun custom tongue-in-cheek phrase.  

Made to look hand-painted. Digital paint using photoshop and illustrator.

 

What do you think? Would you want to see a similar style of artwork in your neighborhood bar or burger shack?

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Chalkbard A-Frame Artwork: BUTCHER SHOP

I was recently asked to make a Chalkboard A-Frame for our Kosher for Passover meat products. The butcher shop has undergone a big re-branding lately, and we wanted to bring attention to these special holiday products.

I was inspired by old-fashioned butcher shop signage.

The A-Frames we use measure 2 x 3 feet. They are sturdy, durable, and reusable. I generally use mostly white chalk and white chalk pens to do the lettering and, depending on the board, add additional colors to highlight aspects of the design.

I had fun making this sign! This back side is simple foam core!

For this sign, I made a back that was inspired by the price flags and old-timey window signs from neighborhood markets. This highlights the prices (literally) making it easy for customers to compare the price-per-pound for the different cuts of meats.

Inspirational Quote: You’re a Lion

I have recently started re-watching the show 30 Rock. I think it is a well-written show with some very funny moments. When my playlist just won’t do, I put it on while I am working on projects.

I made this “inspirational” illustration while watching an episode last night where Jack is psyching himself up for a big presentation. This was one of the things that he said to himself in the mirror: “You’re a lion, take what’s yours.” I thought it was sound advice.

 

This drawing was made using pen and ink, Prismacolor grey markers ranging from 20 %to 80%

“You’re a lion, take what’s yours” Jack Donaghy

Typography Illustration: Do your best Part 2

Happy Friday! In a previous post I showed some of the steps I take to create a typographic illustration. Now I will show you some of the steps I take to color a piece!

 

I generally do a quick thumbnail off to the side (or make a photocopy) to make sure the colors I use work in harmony. If you are working digitally, you can easily change the colors in photoshop, but with traditional work, it helps to work out your colors ahead of time.

 

 

I decided to use circus-inspired bold colors to match the bold fonts.

 

Once you have decided on your colors, start blocking them in. I always make sure to have another piece of paper under my drawing to help absorb some of the marker that bleeds through.

I use a variety of pen and marker types for my illustrations. Copic and PrismaColors are favorites of mine, but I also use Sharpies. Many of the colors you see in my finished illustration are a combination of several colors. Another useful tool in my typography illustrations is a chalk marker, which I use for the highlights on letterforms.

The finished illustration!

Chalkboard A-Frame Artwork: Anniversary

One of the most fun parts of my job is that I get to create hand-painted signs using chalk, paint, and other traditional materials. I think that classic look A-FRAME signs are on of my favorite things to make.

 

They are a fun, quick(ish), easy(ish) way to let customers know about events and activities. This A-Frame was created to celebrate our anniversary party.

Come celebrate with us!

The A-Frames we use measure 2 x 3 feet. They are sturdy, durable, and reusable. I generally use mostly white chalk and white chalk pens to do the lettering and, depending on the board, add additional colors to highlight aspects of the design.

Letterpress Greeting Card

“You are Probably the Coolest Person I know”

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Fresh off the presses! Please enjoy   these fun Any Time Cards! Each card was made on an antique Letterpress Machine at the Buffalo  Book Arts Center in downtown Buffalo, NY! I personally set all of the type in one of their Letterpress Classes.

What an amazing time! These cards are a very limited edition available only in my Etsy Shop.

Fonts used are Cooper Black in several sizes. A unique very 1970’s looking glyph and  manicules  were used as well.  Black ink on white cardstock or  craft-colored stock.

 

Letterpress Class at the Book Arts Center

I found a new favorite place in town: The Western New York Book Arts Center. They are a non-profit that focuses in sharing the age-old traditions of letterpress printing, screen printing, and other traditional printing methods. They also have bookbinding classes and oh so much more!

I signed up to take their Letterpress I class the other day.

Even their bathroom had some great artwork and typography! Check out this great print with all of the letters and glyphs for Morgans font.

Check out their lovely wooden type. Can you see the variations in the letters? The different wood types? Beautiful.

Above are some of their glyphs and symbols in lead type. These are for letterpress, and are made from lead. They are delicate and, apparently, can be dented if dropped…so you have to be very careful with them! Obviously they have an abundance of fonts in various shapes and sizes. But it is so overwhelming to see all of the parts and pieces that go into making a printed piece.

The even have many, many vintage books and supplies nestled comfortably on their shelves.

Happy Birthday to ME!

It’s my Birthday (coming up)…and I will make silly cards if I want to!

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with GUACAMOLE

Today I am doing something new! Here is a downloadable recipe card that I designed for Guacamole!

I made a big, big bowl of GUAC today and here is the recipe I used. Feel free to up-size or down-size to fit your needs (or your appetite). Add spices that you enjoy like pepper, cumin, chili peppers, etc.

Get your “Cinco” celebration on with homemade Guacamole.

Serve with chips and a good beer or margarita (or two)!

Click on the image to enlarge.

Exciting NEW Things to Come!

Here is a sneak peek of EXCITING NEW cards coming your way from Pink Toe Press! Stay tuned for TONS and TONS of new photographs and more information.

I can hardly wait to share!

New cards made from cut paper it’s a secret!