Visual Impact is ‘going retro’, with a range of traditional signcraft skills featured in ‘see, learn and have a go’ workshop sessions which will be run daily by master craftsmen at the October show at Sydney’s new ICC at Darling Harbour.
While advances in digital technology dominate the signage industry, Visual Impact Sydney will be showcasing traditional signmaking skills to inspire youth and highlight the significance of master tradesmen in the current market.
Traditional Signage is one of several workshops which will be running over the three days of the show and will include hands-on demonstrations of traditional brushwork, goldleaf, pinstriping and air brushing by industry-leading specialists Paul Jordan, Ian Stewart-Koster, Roger Warsop, Ray Cosier and Adrian Marchio.
Traditional Brushwork
Brushwork is perhaps the quintessential ‘signwriting’ skill, and visitors to VI will be able to see Ray Cosier demonstrate his techniques. Ray and his colleagues at Raymar signs in Londonderry blend traditional skills with cutting-edge technology to deliver a full range of solutions to their clients, and he says it’s vital people understand that ‘not everything happens with the touch of a button’.
Gold Leaf
Gold adds the ultimate impression of quality, and the workshop will offer visitors a rare opportunity to see demonstrations of gold leaf, traditional brushwork and pinstriping techniques by master tradesman Paul Jordan. Paul, from Jordan Signs Caringbah, will share his family’s three generations of experience and skill in an area which he says is still in high demand today, particularly for professional and corporate clients, high end retail, government and the hotel industry.
Pinstriping
When it comes to traditional pinstriping on vintage cars, bikes, trucks and even horse-drawn carriages, there’s no one more qualified than workshop demonstrator, Ian Stewart-Koster of Traditional Signs, Queensland. Ian specialises in advertising, business promotion and signage and is serious about quality, delivering unique, long-lasting products which combine today’s technology and ideas with traditional skills and crafts.
Hand Painting
Also demonstrating pinstriping and other traditional hand painting techniques at the sessions, will be Roger Warsop from Retroline in Sydney, who is passionate about traditional sign painting as a creative and dynamic alternative for those who want something ‘classic and original’. A hand-lettering expert, Roger demonstrates his skill at car shows and other events, reporting strong interest from both customers and sign professionals in these ‘retro’ skills.
Air Brushing
Highly regarded air brush artist, Adrian Marchio from Airbrushworld, will demonstrate the skill and artistry which he has used on projects from classic hotrods and custom bikes, to heavy haulage trucks, drag and ski boats, ice-cream vans, food trailers and high-end murals. Visitors are sure to be amazed by the discipline of fine graphic and detailed mixed-media illustration artistry which is the cornerstone to his award-winning work.
“The industry is very much focussed on technology but traditional sign making in its many forms, still has an important role and we aim to showcase these skills to a new generation at the October show,” says Peter Harper, General Manager – Trade Shows & Publications for Visual Connections.
“These workshops will complement other hands-on sessions on today’s technology, including colour management, lasers, heat transfer and vehicle wrapping, among other things, and we are thrilled to be giving VI visitors the unique and rare experience to see the masters in action, and learn more about these traditional techniques.”
Visual Impact Sydney will run from Wednesday 11 – Friday 13 October at the ICC, Darling Harbour. The show is free for industry professionals to attend, but bookings are essential – to register and for more information about the show, including a full workshop program and list of exhibitors, go to the Visual Connections website.
Visual Connections
