The British inn sign can be said to date back to Roman times when a bunch of ivy leaves would be displayed outside their ale houses and wine shops. The pictorial sign is a legacy of the days when people could not read or write and trades people would hang a sign outside their premises to denote their occupations. This continued until the spread of education brought about an end to this practice with a few exceptions, mainly the pictorial inn sign.
As a sign is hung for all to see I feel it is important to be careful with visual information, as there will usually be someone to notice if a mistake has been made. Sometimes if I am asked to produce a sign the customer might already have an idea or I may be asked to follow an existing theme, but usually I am given a free hand. Whatever the case some research is usually required, either to obtain accurate information or to create ideas for the sign in hand. I have a reference collection to cover most subjects including monarchs, crafts, heraldry, railways, animals, costumes, armoury and countless other subjects which the pictorial might require. However, some still need further research from outside sources including the internet. Sometimes, if the completion date is not tight (which is rarely the case), the research can be a rewarding and satisfying journey in itself, discovering all sorts of obscure and curious information along the way. At times this can lead on to a completely different path and spark off a more original idea than was previously thought of.
In my opinion an inn sign artist is predominantly an illustrator as opposed to a sign writer but because the illustration or pictorial content is painted onto a signboard rather than in a book or magazine the difference between the two often seems unclear to people. An amateurishly painted pictorial can badly let down the rest of a well designed signing scheme as well as lowering the reputation of good inn sign artists.
There have been many high ranking artists in the past who have painted inn signs including Walter Crane, C.R.Leslie, Sir John Everett Millais R.A. and Hogarth of course.
It is important for a sign to withstand the changes in the British climate and therefore I use only high quality materials and most signs are painted on well prepared aluminium or exterior grade M.D.F. The life span of a sign can vary according to where it is situated, but it can last 10 to 15 years or even more in some cases. Today, with fast moving traffic and competition from other forms of dynamic advertising, a pictorial has to be more sophisticated and appealing. Some may need a strong graphic approach while others require a more sympathetic and traditional style depending on the type of pub or restaurant and the location.
I continue to design and paint pictorials for breweries, sign companies and free houses and I have also completed a number of private commissions including some for overseas.
The great traditional British inn sign is an art form which should continue to flourish and embellish our streets and not be allowed to dissolve into the dim and distant past as so many other skills have done. As it is an Everyman’s gallery for all to see and live with it is also important that it should be done well.
The Sawyers Arms. This is located in South Wales
The Bird in Hand.
Pot at Wot. This is located at Westbury on Trym
The Farmers Arms
The Carpenters Arms
The Sun Inn
The Goat and Bycycle - Cheltenham
The Four Bars Inn - Cardiff
Robin Hood - Monmouth
The Old Nags Head - Monmouth
The Red Lion
In a career spanning 30 years I have created many traditional British Public House signs. Painted traditionally they have appeared outside many public houses in all parts of the country. These are just a few from a collection of over 1000 individual pub signs.
Some of these will be available soon as limited edition prints.
