The Visit: Sign painting and Construction.

For the last two weeks I have been focusing primarily on the signs for The Visit. Having already cut out the sizes roughly from hard board I began work on drawing them out and painting them up in advance for the show this coming week. My first task was to accurately draw out each of the signs. As they will be quite close to the audience it was important they were perfectly drawn out.

As I had a short time in which to complete the signs I often worked on several at once. As I had to wait for one coloured section to dry before I continue painting it I would work on another while waiting, speeding up the whole process.

I worked on the signs at home as the light in the workshop was not suitable for gauging what colours worked well together and create the right style. As the play is set in post second world war europe the look of the signs was crucial in setting the time frame. Furthermore, the choice of colours I used, as well as the fact I didn't undercoat the signs in white first, meant they had an aged look to them; approptriate for the delapidated setting of Guellen town.

 

 The Golden Apostle Hotel is the most prestigious place in what is essentially a run-down, boarded up town. For the sign I wanted to create an impression of ornate splendour but still give it a worn down look. The picture here shows the colours before I gave them a second coat, as they are far too bright here. I think in the end it achieved a mood of faded grandeur, that hopefully will be communicated to the audience. The other sign here is for Ill's shop, I imagine he had painted the sign himself and, as a popular figure in the town, takes alot of pride in it. The look I wanted to achieve is one of simplicity, but proudness. These back stories I imagined, having read the script, helped me massively in me designing of the signs.

Finishing off the signs.

The signs completed.

Having finished work on the signs the only thing I had left to construct was the railroad signal. This was easily built out if three pieces of wood and required little work other than sawing the ends into arrows and painting white with black stripes, as can be seen below.

Once the signal was painted white with emulsion I decided to use black spray paint to finish the sign as this was quicker than using paint to complete it. Using masking tape I was able to get a quic an accurrate line across the tips of the arrows.

 This completed my work on The Visit. Overall, I found it a good opportunity to hone my painting skills and improve on working to a deadline.