My Journey into Sign Writing with the DYCP Grant
At the beginning of last year, I was awarded the Develop Your Creative Practice (DYCP) grant by the Arts Council—a huge milestone in what has been a much longer journey into traditional sign writing.
For years, I had been lettering—first as a self-taught artist, then professionally, running a business creating wedding stationery and event signage. My love for hand-painted lettering started long before I ever considered it a career. I spent years studying letterforms, brush techniques, and layout design, slowly refining my skills. But the more I painted, the more I realized that sign writing isn’t just about individual skill—it’s about community.
At the same time, something was shifting. Behind the scenes, my family was going through a deeply personal and life-changing event. The energy and excitement I once felt for the wedding industry started to drain away. Working so closely with couples in the lead-up to their big day requires a certain level of enthusiasm, warmth, and presence, and I found myself struggling to summon it. My heart just wasn’t in it anymore. I knew I needed a change—not just creatively, but emotionally too.
That’s when I turned toward hand-painted signs. The thought of creating bespoke signage for small businesses, painting shop fascias, and bringing murals to independent retailers excited me in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time. I saw it as more than just a skill—it was a way to bring colour, character, and artistry back to small high streets, where independent shops often fade into the background.
By the end of 2023, I applied for the DYCP grant, knowing that this was the step I needed to take my work to the next level. In my application, I shared my passion for traditional sign writing and my belief that hand-painted shop signs have the power to transform small businesses. But I didn’t just want to learn for myself—I wanted to give back to my local area by offering a handful of free shop fascias and murals as part of my training.
To my absolute joy (and relief!), I was awarded the grant, and my formal journey into sign painting began. Since then, I’ve been learning from some of the best in the craft:
Joby Carter’s Sign Writing Workshop.
I completed the Joby Carter Introduction to Sign Writing course, refining my understanding of brush control, layout, and traditional techniques.
I shadowed Tozer Signs in Bristol and Sign Writing Mike in Leeds, learning how experienced sign writers work on real-world projects.
I attended Burds Of The Brush in Bristol, where sign writers gathered to paint and take part in workshops on gilding, blackletter, and layout.
I’m currently studying Dave Smith’s online gold gilding course, diving into decorative glass gilding techniques.
And in April, I’ll be attending a Mike Meyer workshop in Nottingham, because (as any sign writer knows) you never stop learning!
Allie Practcing brush techniques at Joby Carters Sign Writing Workshop.
Alongside my training, I’ve been putting my skills into action locally. I’ve completed window artwork for a local art school and a bakery—both of which will soon be getting full hand-painted fascias. I also painted a shutter mural for a clothing shop, adding personality and charm to the high street. And right now, I’m in discussions with the local council about a mural project.
While my self-taught journey began long before last year, this grant has given me the opportunity to refine my craft in ways I couldn’t have done alone. More than anything, it has reinforced what I already knew—sign writing is a trade that thrives on connection, tradition, and craftsmanship. I’m proud to be part of this world, and I can’t wait to keep adding hand-painted signs and murals to our streets.
If you’re a small business owner looking for bespoke, hand-painted signage, I’d love to chat about how we can bring your shopfront to life with traditional sign writing. Let’s make your business stand out with lettering that’s crafted to last!