ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
KENT ARTIST PROFILE :
DANIEL BEEDLE
PROFESSIONAL SIGNWRITER DANIEL BEEDLE ’ S WORK CAN BE SEEN ACROSS KENT , FROM THE WILD COUNTRYSIDE OF THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND TO SHOP WINDOWS IN THE CENTRE OF TOWNS AND CITIES . insideKENT CAUGHT UP WITH DANIEL TO CHAT ABOUT HOW HE GOT INTO THE BUSINESS , WHY HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS UNIQUE LINE OF WORK , AND WHAT IT REALLY TAKES TO BE A MODERN-DAY SIGNWRITER .
How did you get into signwriting ?
After completing a degree in fine art I took a job at Oddbins Wine Merchants . I loved the eye-catching hand-painted signs and window displays . Learning about wine and being given an artistic outlet while being paid for both was amazing . Many people commented on the signs and windows that I painted and other local businesses were soon keen to have me paint signs for them too . Since those early commissions I have built upon my skills through diligent practice and plenty of research into techniques both past and present .
Your art style adapts depending on the project you are working on . Do you think adaptability is a key attribute of a good signwriter ?
Certainly . Most clients that commission me to paint signs for them already have a clear idea of how they want the finished piece to look . Businesses also usually have branding already in place either on social media or in other physical locations ; as a signwriter it is my main focus to recreate the clients designs as faithfully as possible .
What makes you passionate about what you do ?
I love the diverse nature of my work . One day I could be painting a small house sign for a cottage in the beautiful Kent countryside . Next , I could be at the top of a tall ladder with a unique view over town rooftops to the sea . Then there ’ s the different people I meet , passers-by who love to see a sign being painted by hand and my clients whom I work closely with to achieve their vision . Lastly , I take great pride in my work and feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment upon completing a sign .
Tell us a little more about what traditional sign painting entails and what are some of the tricks of the trade that you couldn ’ t live without ?
Traditional sign painting essentially means hand painted . Techniques for forming letters by brush have been developed and passed on for centuries and it is these tried and tested methods that commonly yield the best looking results . That said , a signwriter working today has to adapt and modify their approach sometimes to best express the character of specific modern-day fonts requested by clients . Having a good selection of quality signwriting brushes is essential . I prefer to use sable chisel brushes which are longer than standard brushes and have a completely square end .
What has been the most fun sign you ’ ve worked on ?
I enjoy all the signs I paint but the ones I have the most fun on are those where I have full creative control over the design and method of application . Many of my favourites are the window displays I produced working for Oddbins and Wild Ferment as I had free rein over the finished piece .
Where can we find your work ?
You can find my work all around Kent from Royal Tunbridge Wells to Ramsgate and plenty of places in-between . Take a look at my Instagram feed by following @ sign _ boy or check out my website www . signboy . co . uk .
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