Showcard & Sign Painting workbook
















Sign painting is a perfect blend of draftsmanship and artistry, of rules and intuition, of precision and incongruity. With the emergence of the “slow movement” in the last decade, and a renewed interest in analog techniques – perhaps a reaction against the technologies that dominate so many aspects of our lives – the demand for traditional sign painting has returned. Many small businesses prefer signs made by humans, not machines. People want art in their homes made by people, not factories. And those with an interest in typography and handmade letterforms (both professionals and hobbyists) are interested in painting letters by hand. 

These 10 worksheets will help you navigate your sign painting journey. This booklet contains an overview of supplies, techniques, stroke practice, as well as full reference alphabets and guideline sheets. Please let this workbook inspire you to embrace your own personal style, and create your best sign painting work.

No experience required, but you will need your own paint materials, which are thoroughly discussed in the kit.   

Available as a physical booklet or digital download in my shop.


Brush Pen Lettering workbook



























Hand-lettering often speaks louder than a font or typeface because of its personal touch and charming imperfections. Brush pen lettering, a variation of cursive handwriting, has made a resurgence in recent years because of a renewed interest in the handmade, and a yearning for authenticity. It also acts as an excellent exercise in mindfulness, and offers the groundwork for creative ventures like lettermail, journalling, and art projects.

This 12-page workbook will help you navigate your brush pen lettering journey. The booklet contains an overview of supplies, techniques, stroke practice, as well as full reference alphabets and guideline sheets. 

No experience required, but you will need your own brush pens and paper, which are thoroughly discussed in the kit. I hope this workbook inspire you to embrace your own personal style, and create your best brush lettering work. 

Available as a physical booklet or digital download in my shop.


Love is in the air



To share my love with all of you, I have created 4 FREE downloadable Valentine cards:

Love (black and white)

Kiss (colour)

XO (black and white)

XO (colour)


Looking back, moving forward


As in previous years (201120122013201420152016, 2017, 2018), here is my annual recap of how my year unfolded.

In January, I was featured in UPPERCASE Magazine's beautiful new book, The Encyclopedia of Inspiration: Ephemera.

After months of preparation, I revealed a new look for my personal brand in February. Posts here, here and here.

In March, I hand-painted some signs for The Theatre Centre, and painted the windows at Type Books. I also offered hand-letter cards at She Matters, a fundraising brunch in support of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, which offers legal representation, professional counselling and multilingual interpretation to women who have experienced violence.

Village Juicery generously displayed some of my collection for the month of April. I also had the privilege of painting the windows at the new Wonder Pens Clinton St. location. And I checked one thing off my bucket list: I played my first-ever ukulele recital!

In May, I had fun painting a special pantry sign.

June was a busy month! I offered my first sign painting workshop, in partnership with Above Ground Art Supplies. I designed a super fun t-shirt for the Stratford Festival production of Little Shop of Horrors. I designed the poster and graphics for the Vintage Taps' production of The Laundry List. I did some fun sign painting for LeTao and Kilogram. And I got a chance to help out the 519 with some huge hand-painted pride protest signs.

In August, I had the privilege to do a sign painting treatment on the cover of Chatelaine Magazine.
I also did a fun sign painting / pop art homage.

In October, I did some custom lettering for Tafelmusik's Haus Musik series in Toronto. I was the feature artist at Italic Press. And my sign painting article was featured in Issue 43 of UPPERCASE Magazine.

November was a big month. I had new work at the Buddies in Bad Times Art Attack auction. I had fun painting the window at the new Craig's Cookies on Church Street. And I also got to paint a lovely Joni Mitchell lyric for the holiday window at Type Books. But the biggest news on the month (and year) was being part of the One of a Kind winter show. Months of preparation all led up to joining 850+ vendors for 117 hours over 11 days at Toronto’s biggest gathering of local makers. I feel privileged that was included in this world-class event, and thankful for every single person I’ve met during this experience.

This year would not have been possible without the support of everyone.
I wish you all the best in 2020.

CR

Processed Canada postcards


Hand-painted with acrylic and One Shot enamel paint, available as a set of five 4.5"x6" postcards, printed on Mohawk Superfine Eggshell Ultrawhite 120lb matte fine art paper using an HP Indigo 7800 Digital Press.

Available for purchase here.

True North Strong & Free


Hand-painted with acrylic and One Shot enamel paint, scanned, and printed on Mohawk Superfine Eggshell Ultrawhite 120lb matte fine art paper using an HP Indigo 7800 Digital Press.

Available for purchase here.

Product of Canada


Hand-painted with acrylic and One Shot enamel paint, scanned, and printed on Mohawk Superfine Eggshell Ultrawhite 120lb matte fine art paper using an HP Indigo 7800 Digital Press.

Available for purchase here.

Made in Canada


Hand-painted with acrylic and One Shot enamel paint, scanned, and printed on Mohawk Superfine Eggshell Ultrawhite 120lb matte fine art paper using an HP Indigo 7800 Digital Press.

Available for purchase here.

Inhabitant of Canada


Hand-painted with acrylic and One Shot enamel paint, scanned, and printed on Mohawk Superfine Eggshell Ultrawhite 120lb matte fine art paper using an HP Indigo 7800 Digital Press.

Available for purchase here.

Canada Eh?


Hand-painted with acrylic and One Shot enamel paint, scanned, and printed on Mohawk Superfine Eggshell Ultrawhite 120lb matte fine art paper using an HP Indigo 7800 Digital Press.

Available for purchase here.

Holiday cards 2019


This 4-pack of festive, A2-size greeting cards were hand painted with acrylic and enamel paint, scanned, and printed in Toronto on Mohawk Superfine Eggshell Ultrawhite 120lb matte fine art paper, using an HP Indigo 7800 Digital Press. Blank inside, envelopes included. Includes:
-Cooked Ham
-Fresh Egg Nog
-Instant Stuffing
-Jellied Cranberry Sauce

Free delivery within Toronto may be available; please contact me for details.

Available for purchase here.

© Christopher Rouleau 2019. All rights reserved.


Brush lettering at Wonder Pens



Toronto friends: I’ll be offering a special 3.5-hour brush lettering workshop at Wonder Pens (Gerrard location) on Tues. Oct 29 6-9:30pm.

Sign up here:
https://www.wonderpens.ca/Studio_Shop_Introduction_to_Brush_Lettering_Clas_p/itblcss.htm

Learn Sign Painting



Learn Sign Painting with Christopher Rouleau. This new two-day workshop teaches the fundamentals of traditional sign painting. Participants will learn about best practices, sign painting tools, and have the opportunity to paint up to four styles of alphabet using both showcard tempera paint, with a demonstration on how to use professional enamel paint. This is an intermediate level workshop. All participants should come with a working knowledge of typography and hand-lettering fundamentals. Experience with type design, drafting, drawing, and painting is a bonus. Materials will be provided, and all participants will take home their own brushes & sign painting workbook. Space is very limited. Sign up today!

Sat. Sept. 28 + Sun. Sept. 29
Uppercase Magazine
Calgary, AB
https://www.uppercasemagazine.com/learnsignpainting

Sat. Oct. 19 + Sun. Oct. 20
Watson & Lou
Peterborough, ON
https://www.watsonandlou.com/collections/workshops/products/sign-painting

Pride is political


Pride is political. Keep your eyes out for these protest banners this weekend at Pride Toronto. Hand-painted by Paul Dotey and myself for The 519. Thanks Kilogram studio for their superb protest modelling skills.

Kilogram


I had such a fun time painting this door for Kilogram studio. Painted by hand with 1Shot paint. Pop by the laneway at 175 Lisgar to check it out. Thanks, Kfir!

LeTAO


Here are some charming Toilette signs I recently created for the new boutique Japanese bakery, LeTAO (356 College St.) Hand-painted with 1Shot paint. Thanks again Kilogram studio for the opportunity!

The Laundry List


Do you love tap dancing? Here’s a poster and animation I created for Vintage Taps exciting production, The Laundry List. Show runs July 5-14 at the Factory Theatre. Thanks, Amy! Tickets here.

Little Shop of Horrors


Congrats to the cast and creative team of The Stratford Festival's production of Little Shop of Horrors! And special congrats - and thanks - to Michael for the opportunity to design some fun showcards for Muschnik's flower shop. Show runs until November 2 - be sure to check it out!

Directed and Choreographed by Donna Feore
Set Design by Michael Gianfrancesco
Costume Design by Dana Osborne
Lighting Design by Michael Walton
Projection Design by Jamie Nesbit Photos by Cylla von Tiedemann and Chris Young
André Morin as Seymour Krelborn
Steve Ross as Mr. Muschnik

As well, here’s the custom T-shirt design I created for the cast and creative team!

Learn Sign Painting


This new two-day workshop, in partnership with Above Ground Art Supplies, and One Shot, teaches the fundamentals of traditional sign painting. Participants will learn about best practices, sign painting tools, and have the opportunity to paint up to four styles of alphabet using both showcard tempera, as well as One Shot enamel paint.

This is an intermediate level workshop. All participants should come with a working knowledge of typography and hand-lettering fundamentals. Experience with type design, drafting, drawing, and painting is a bonus.

Space is very limited. Sign up today!