While elaborate signs like those seen in antique shops are difficult to design, the most basic of primitive images are easy to create with a few shortcuts. From vintage ads to country sayings, these folk art signs fill wall space with country charm. Even new artists can create signs from basic craft materials with only minimal effort to design and paint one.
Stencil Shortcut
Stencils are the easiest way to construct basic primitive or folk art signs. With letters and images available in a range of sizes, styles, and (in the case of numbers and the alphabet) a range of fonts. Simple cardboard construction lets artists punch the letters out separately so they can position them on the sign and secure them in place.
Small stencil images like chickens, eggs, cottages, and flowers are easy to fine and position below stenciled letters. Use sticky tack to secure the letters temporarily while painting according to guidelines.
Popular slogans include "fresh eggs", "pie", "antiques" and other familiar country themes. New England toll painting techniques also work well with stenciled letters, especially with antiquing solutions and stress marks added to wooden signs.
Freehand Designs
Experienced artists can easily freehand images on signs, ranging from vintage public domain ads to original characters. Inspiration can be found in a range of vintage clip art volumes, especially those filled with vintage advertisements. Several are available from Dover Publishing, but free images can be found online through search engines and some artist sites.
Crafting letters and numbers by hand without the aid of stencils is more difficult, but can be done if the letters are traced lightly on the unfinished sign, using a pencil and measuring tape to mark the proper distance and angels.
Tin Sheets and Wooden Boards
Material choice for signs is traditionally tin or wood, usually cut to size at a hardware store or using a designated saw and blade. Scrap materials, however, including weathered lumber and antique roof tin. Features like rust, rotten edges, and uneven surfaces can enhance the antique appearance of the finished sign.
When painting tin surfaces, mix glue into the paint to help secure it to the surface; create "rust spots" with a sprinkle of dried cinnamon over wet paint. To display finished wood or rusty tin signs outdoors, spray the painted surface with a weatherproof sealer or finish first.
Display the finished signs proudly with other primitive and folk art decorations. To hang the signs without crooked rows or leaning frames, drill a hole in each top corner and string them with a piece of clear fish line, knotting it at each one to create the traditional "picture wire" for hanging on a nail or hook.
Sarah Briggs - For the last two years, I have designed primitive dolls and folk art sculptures (such as Edwin Drood and the Ghost of Marley) for Cordwood ...
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