What to Expect at an Introduction to Signwriting Workshop
With over ten years’ experience as a professional signwriter in Ireland, Vanessa Power of Signs of Power is passionate about sharing her craft. Her Introduction to Signwriting Workshop is designed for anyone curious about traditional hand-painted lettering.
Over the weekend, you’ll learn how to draw block letters, master brush strokes and paint your own word or phrase onto a wooden panel, something you’ll be proud to show off to friends and family
Workshop Details
Workshops are held at Flux Dublin Digital Hub Studios, located beside the Guinness Brewery in Dublin 8.
They run over a weekend from 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday, with a break for lunch.
We recommend arriving around 9:45am to settle in and find your easel for the weekend.
Day 1
Drawing Block Letters
Vanessa begins by teaching the fundamental structure of block lettering.
Using a simple grid technique, you’ll learn how to create letters that are well-proportioned and consistent.
After a demonstration, you’ll practice drawing the full alphabet, these letters will form the basis of your design for your panel.
Brush Strokes & Brush Care
Next, Vanessa demonstrates key brush strokes used in traditional signwriting to create clean, confident lines.
You’ll learn how to care for your brushes and explore the different types of brushes used by professional signwriters.
Two-Stroke Lettering
You’ll then practice painting your letters using the two-stroke technique, tracing over your drawn letters on paper.
This exercise builds muscle memory and prepares you for painting your final wooden panel on Day Two.
Day 2
Letter Spacing
Vanessa covers the rules and visual tricks behind effective letter spacing, ensuring your words look balanced and professional.
3D Shading
You’ll learn how to add depth to your letters with 3D block shading and cast shadows, making your design really pop.
Transferring & Painting Your Final Panel
Using traditional signwriting transfer techniques, you’ll move your design onto your wooden panel, align it perfectly.
By the end of the day, you’ll have a beautiful hand-painted panel ready to take home, a nice memento of your hard work over the weekend.
Throughout the Weekend
Vanessa shares insights, stories and tips from her years as a working signwriter and she’s always happy to answer questions.
It’s an inspiring and immersive experience where you’ll learn a lot, meet like-minded people and have plenty of fun along the way.
After the Workshop
Participants receive a follow-up email with Vanessa’s list of recommended brush and paint suppliers, books, YouTube channels, and online signwriting courses to help you continue your learning journey.
Vanessa encourages anyone eager to keep learning to keep practising and explore more signwriting courses, online or in person. This weekend workshop is just the tip of the iceberg and only the beginning of your signwriting journey.
Upcoming Workshops
More workshops are planned for 2026 at Flux Dublin, sign up to the Signs of Power newsletter to be the first to know about upcoming workshop dates. Vanessa looks forward to seeing you there!