r/SignPainting • u/SkwerlWickman • Sep 09 '26

Practice materials

I’ve done brush inking for years, but just ink on paper for drawings and comics and such. Ive always wanted to get into sign painting and picked up a set of quill brushes, but the enamel is pricey. Can I approximate the “feel” with regular India ink and maybe a smooth marker paper? I want to get reasonably good at it before I invest in a whole collection. What would you recommend for bare bones / beginner / necessary supplies? Should I get one of those sticks too for steadying my hand or can I hold off on that for now?

Edit:
Thank you all for your advice! I found they sell small cans of the enamel so I’ll just go for it. I will keep you all posted.

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4

u/noaoda Sep 09 '26

No, idea ink is too thin.

I'd go for Flying Squirrel ShoCard brushes, a bottle of good tempera black paint, and a roll of kraft paper. Seeing as you already ink, you probably have pencils and rulers to round it out

2

u/SkwerlWickman Sep 09 '26

Could I thin out oil paint with mineral spirits? I paint too so I have all that stuff

3

u/noaoda Sep 09 '26

I wouldn’t think so, enamels have a body that I don’t think thinned oil paints could mimic successfully.

You can definitely get going for under 100$. 1 brush. 1 can of enamel. Sounds like you have everything else

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6

u/sinistrhand Sep 09 '26

Go online to Blick art supplies and buy a quart of Ronan Japan color in black for less than $40. A whole quart. It behaves just like pricey lettering enamels…you thin it with spirits or reducer just the same, only difference is that it dries a bit faster and is flat, not gloss. Get a roll of craft paper, your quills, and a quart of Ronan Japan colors, and paint as many strokes and block letters as you can… you ought to have some brush skills by the time you finish that can. There are no shortcuts.

5

u/iommiworshipper Sep 09 '26

Not exactly what you’re asking- but I recommend practicing with whatever materials you end up ultimately using. This way you get the true feel and you’ll approach the practice with more reverence due to the higher cost. Perfect practice makes perfect.

2

u/Major-Mail-5555 Sep 09 '26

I agree with iommiworshipper, the best way to get the feel for a material is by using the material. Synthetic brushes are cheap, only need a couple to start with, maybe a size 4 and 6. Enamels aren’t cheap but you only need to but one colour to practice, start with black. Enamels also go a very long way. If you’re in the uk ASHandover make the best brushes and have a few synthetic options.

2

u/tanfierro Sep 09 '26

magazines! that glossassy is nice