I had an unusual request recently to make a pair of signs, one for each side of a doorway between rooms in an old house. Apparently, the low height of the doorway has claimed the forehead of many a guest. The signs, hanging just above the doorway will serve as a playful warning/reminder.
The longest part of the process occurs before I pick up a chisel. I played around by drawing several design possibilities. Ultimately, I carved the two on the left.
The one above, at just under 11″, will hang on the side of the door with a little less open room. These letters (and duck elements) were just freely drawn.
The other sign, nearly twice as long, is inspired by classic Roman lettering. More specifically, the forms from the base of the Trajan Column, carved in Rome early in the second century. The Roman alphabet had no U or K, so those letters have been designed to harmonize with the rest of the letter forms.
The Trajan inscription has been studied by many lettering experts. Possibly the most important studies were conducted by Father Edward Catich. His books on the subject are referenced at the link on his name.
Among other great sources is the book (photo above) Roman Lettering by L.C. Evetts, first published in 1938.
Evetts offers a geometric context to the construction of the letters, but also discusses and demonstrates, through his clear illustrations, the important and consistent deviations from strict geometry. The book was recommended to me not long ago, and I’ve loved diving into it.
When it came to the carving, I prepared two pieces from a relatively dense butternut board. I painted both pieces with a thin mix (not strictly black, more of a dark Payne’s Grey in reality) of acrylic artist paints. Then I carved through it.
The shots above and below provide a better look at the painted surface. Thinning the paint made for an even coat that allowed the grain of the wood to read through. The detail on the edge of the larger sign was done by first shaving a large bevel, then carving across it with a gouge.
After the carving was done, I hit everything with a coat of paste wax. Ready to save heads. As usual, there are a couple details I wouldn’t mind revisiting, but overall I’m pleased with how they turned out. A fun project.
David Fisher, Carving Explorations 
Beautifully realised David – I especially appreciate your weaving the letters together, … and as so often with your posts, I can’t wait to have a go myself!😜👍
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Glad to hear it. Enjoy!
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Personally, I think I would’ve gone with DVCK rather than designing a U to match, but that probably says more about my skill and comfort level than anything else.
Nice signs, though. Hopefully people will notice them BEFORE clonking their heads.
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The thought crossed my mind, but then I pictured somebody walking toward the door thinking “DVCK?…Bonk”. So I went with a U based on the design that Evetts suggests in his book.
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I think that confusing someone with “DVCK” would be part of the overall entertainment package, especially if I had thought far enough ahead to set up a camera to catch them, not unlike Storrowing.
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/storrowing-a-boston-tradition-officials-wish-would-end/3128351/
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In the spirit of Roman’s. Would you pronounce the V like “victor” or more like a “w?” I guess that depends on when you took Latin. For us in the early 80s, they were pronounced like w’s. I enjoyed Latin and was kind of sad I couldnt’ have also taken ancient Greek.
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Ooh! That’s a good question. I think I would prefer more like a W, similar to cwm, since I can’t wrap my brain around how to pronounce DVCK with the V sound.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/pronunciation/english/cwm
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Very nice. After painting, do you transfer the sketch of the lettering onto the painted surface before carving? If so, what do you use? Carbon paper?
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After painting, I covered the surface with masking tape, specifically the yellow version of “Frog Tape”:https://www.frogtape.com/products/delicate-surface-painters-tape.
I transferred the design onto the tape with graphite transfer paper. Like carbon paper, but uses graphite instead of the waxy blue stuff on carbon paper.
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Thanks for sharing Dave, lovely art work with such crisp details.
Cheers, Michael
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Love the imagination including the ducks feet and head, you are at least as much artist as you are a brilliant carver.
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How are the letters colored? Is that gold leaf or a paint?
Beautiful signs!
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Oh — I should have clarified in the article. Nothing at all, just the color of the wood itself. Just an application of clear paste wax over everything.
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Brilliant!
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We are the lucky of recipients these two wonderful signs! Dave was phenomenal to work with. Every aspect of the project was approached with meticulous care. I would like him to do my Christmas wrapping next year! Many creative options were provided design wise. I feel the end product provided the elegant yet whimsical quality sought. I am hoping he will consider tackling other tasks in the future!
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My goodness, it is wonderful to hear from the recipients of the sign! Thank you for giving us this lovely extra context!
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This was quite an emotional post for me to see. I recognised the Evetts book as one that my dad gave to me. It was one of his course books from the first year of his architecture training, and he has written his name in it, dated 1961. Dad died just over a year ago, and he was the man who showed me that girls and women can do woodwork, or anything else they want, regardless of what society expects them to do.
I’m always very inspired by your work and your great posts. Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge.
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thank you, Anita, for telling us this story. My father told me, too, that girls could do whatever they wanted to do
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Thanks very sincerely for sharing your very personal connection to the book as well as your dad’s wonderful and important example. I love that Evett’s special book serves as a reminder of your dad’s outlook and attitude. Your story will now be a welcome thought each time I pick up my own copy. Happy carving!
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Goose?
Your lettering is beautiful, as always!
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Was on my mind as well.
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roman Lettering new to me–didn’t know that book, nice to be introduced to it and glad you were introduced to it–
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