If someone had told me a decade ago that you could learn the art of traditional signwriting online, I would have raised an eyebrow. Signwriting has always been an art you see, touch, and practice in person. There’s the smell of paint, the subtle pressure of the brush, and the tactile feel of laying letters on wood or glass. But then I stumbled across The Signpainters Academy, and my perspective shifted completely.
I want to take you through my experience learning signwriting online, what surprised me, and how this innovative approach can genuinely transform a beginner into a confident Signpainter.
Why I Decided to Try Online Signpainting
I’ll admit it: I was skeptical at first. Traditional signwriting is tactile, hands-on, and deeply rooted in craft culture. How could an online course replicate that?
But life has its challenges. Work schedules, family responsibilities, and the global lockdowns made attending in-person workshops tricky. I was also looking for something more structured than books or scattered YouTube videos could provide. That’s when I found The Signpainters Academy and Paul Myerscough’s online courses.
What Sets The Signpainters Academy Apart
Many online courses offer bite-sized videos or step-by-step instructions, but Paul’s approach goes deeper. Here’s what impressed me:
- Full-Year Curriculum: This isn’t a one-day crash course. It’s a complete, structured 12-month program designed to take you from complete beginner to confident Signpainter.
- Practical, Real-Time Videos: Every demonstration is filmed in real-time. You watch Paul paint letters, mix paints, and handle tools exactly as he does, mistakes included. No edits hiding the hard parts.
- Project-Based Learning: You don’t just watch, you create. Weekly projects help you practice and build a portfolio for future clients.
The structure alone gave me confidence. With other online content, I often felt lost or overwhelmed. Here, every module built on the previous one, and I could move at my own pace, which made juggling the course with daily life far easier.
First Surprising Lesson: The Tools Matter More Than I Thought
I expected the course to focus heavily on brush techniques, lettering styles, and painting. And it does, but one of the first lessons I learned surprised me: equipment is everything.
Paul takes time to explain:
- The right brushes and how to care for them
- How to mix paints for optimal flow
- Using tools like a mahl stick or palette for precision
These basics seem small but form the foundation for all signpainting. The online format worked perfectly here because I could pause, rewind, and replay each demonstration as I practiced in real time.
Learning Brush Control and Lettering Styles
Signwriting isn’t just about painting letters; it’s about flow, consistency, and style. The Signpainters Academy introduces students to the four main lettering styles:
- Casual – Perfect for informal signs and relaxed branding
- Block – Bold, simple, and professional
- Script – Elegant, flowing letters that require precision
- Roman – Classic, timeless letterforms
Each style comes with practice exercises, shading techniques, and Paul’s personal tips. Watching him demonstrate up close made me realize how nuanced brush pressure, angle, and rhythm are. These are things you just can’t learn from books or static images.
Shading and Advanced Techniques
Once you grasped the basics, the course moved into shading and advanced techniques. This is where I truly felt like a signwriting apprentice. Paul covers:
- Basic and advanced shading
- Blending techniques
- Surface gilding and glass work
- Distressed finishes and pictorial elements
Even as a beginner, these lessons felt approachable because of the way they were broken down into manageable chunks. The pacing mattered, a lot. In other courses, I often felt rushed or left behind. Here, you learn methodically and build confidence.
The Power of Real-Time Video Learning
One thing that blew me away was the depth of real-time demonstrations. Paul doesn’t just show you the “perfect stroke.” He paints alongside you, sharing insights, corrections, and tricks that only decades of experience could teach.
- You see how he handles mistakes
- How he corrects paint flow problems
- How subtle shifts in hand position change letter thickness
It’s a level of transparency that builds trust and gives you the confidence to experiment without fear.
Building a Portfolio and Getting Work
By the end of the first few weeks, I had created several small signs. That’s when another surprise hit: an online course can actually help you start earning.
Paul encourages students to use their projects to build a portfolio. You can then show these to local businesses, holiday cottage owners, or even friends and family. Some students have turned their newfound skills into full-time careers.
Check out testimonials like Robert Wiltshire from the USA, who said:
“It has given me so much confidence… I have been very busy filling orders… The videos are awesome, and I love being able to watch anytime I want.”
These aren’t isolated cases. The course is designed to bridge the gap between learning and real-world application.
Learning From Mistakes
Signpainting is a craft of trial and error. What I didn’t expect from an online course was permission to fail.
Paul deliberately includes mistakes in his videos and shows how to correct them. Watching him navigate errors made me realize that mistakes aren’t just acceptable, they’re essential for learning.
This honesty builds credibility. You see that Paul has been in the trenches for over 30 years, and you can trust that his methods work.
Community and Support
A common criticism of online learning is the lack of community. Not here.
- You get access to peer-to-peer platforms
- Students share work, tips, and encouragement
- Paul provides direct email support for guidance and feedback
This interaction simulates the mentorship you’d expect from an in-person apprenticeship. You’re not learning in isolation. You’re part of a creative community.
The 26 Letters: A Unique Learning Tool
Another highlight is the “26 Letters” module. Paul designed 26 letters and paints them all in real-time, sharing hundreds of tips and tricks.
- Over 27 hours of demonstrations
- Full commentary on techniques
- Focused on building a complete skill set
This module is like having a personal mentor show every single stroke, nuance, and decision. Even experienced signpainters can learn techniques that are not available in books or generic tutorials.
Flexible Learning That Fits Your Life
Life is busy. That’s one of the things I underestimated before starting online signwriting. The course allows you to:
- Watch videos on your own schedule
- Pause and rewind as often as needed
- Balance learning with work, family, or other commitments
This flexibility made it possible for me to practice consistently without feeling overwhelmed. And consistency, as Paul emphasizes, is the only way to master this craft.
Global Accessibility
One of the biggest surprises? You don’t have to live near a signwriting hub to access world-class training. The Signpainters Academy reaches students in the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
Whether you’re in a city apartment or a rural town, you can access:
- Beginners Bootcamp
- The Full Course
- The 26 Letters
All of these courses are designed to build skills gradually, with projects and modules that scale with your progress.
Testimonials: Proof That Online Signwriting Works
Hearing about other students’ experiences reinforced my confidence in the program. Here are a few highlights:
- Jules, who had been signpainting for a while, shared:
“Paul, thank you so much for offering this course. It has inspired me so much. It happened at a good time with the shutdown. It has given me so much more confidence and following your instructions has really helped. I’m in a vacation spot with thousands of rental cottages and a large percentage of them want to name their cottage with a sign, so I have been very busy filling orders. Also, businesses are consistently changing hand and need signs. The videos are awesome and I love being able to watch anytime I want. The projects are awesome, especially for beginners. The price of the course is well worth the opportunity to start your own business with wonderful guidance from a pro and a pro you are. I started my sign business in 1976 and being the owner was about hiring people to do the work for me, now it’s me and only me and I’m loving it!”
- Robert Wiltshire, USA:
“The course has given me the structure, guidance, and projects I needed to finally build a solid portfolio. The practical approach and weekly lessons have transformed my approach to signpainting.”
- Jason Fitzpatrick, Ireland:
“I’m not new to using a brush or lettering but I’d been winging it for some time at an amateur level. Now, because of correct practice techniques, focus, and brush drills through Paul’s guidance, my ability has transformed remarkably. My feel for the paint is more dialled in now, and my confidence has grown too. Following the drawing procedure for setting out letters has improved my understanding of letter forms massively. This focus was something I was lacking before. Even when goals are missed, it’s still a goal, and you just keep going until you nail it. The course has really given me direction and confidence.”
These testimonials demonstrate that the course works for a wide range of learners, from complete beginners to those with prior experience. Students are not only improving their craft but are also finding real opportunities to earn from their skills.
Extra Bonuses and Resources
The course isn’t just about videos. Paul provides:
- Downloadable practice sheets
- Access to tools and supplier discounts
- Face-to-face workshops at 20% off
- Ongoing tips on starting and growing your signpainting business
These extras provide tangible value, further bridging the gap between online learning and real-world success.
Why This Course Feels Like an Apprenticeship
Here’s the truth: I expected online learning to feel distant, impersonal, or incomplete. Instead, it felt like an apprenticeship in my living room.
- Step-by-step guidance
- Real-time demonstrations
- Mistakes and corrections
- Mentorship and community
All of these elements combined to give me the confidence to not just learn, but actually create, practice, and eventually earn from my craft.
Lessons I Learned About Online Learning
Reflecting on my experience, here’s what surprised me most:
- Online doesn’t mean impersonal: Paul’s guidance felt personal and hands-on.
- You can learn complex crafts remotely: Signwriting isn’t simple, but clear instruction and practice make mastery possible.
- Mistakes are part of the process: Seeing the tutor handle errors reassured me that perfection isn’t required.
- Community matters: Peer interaction and feedback accelerated my progress.
- Structure is key: The methodical pace of the course prevented overwhelm and built real skills.
Who Should Consider Learning Signwriting Online
Whether you’re a complete beginner, a hobbyist, or someone with some experience, there’s a course suited for you:
- Beginners Bootcamp: For complete novices wanting structured guidance
- The Full Course: For those serious about mastering the craft and potentially earning a living
- The 26 Letters: For experienced painters seeking advanced techniques
No matter your level, an online signwriting course can transform your abilities and confidence.
Conclusion
So, can you really learn signwriting online? The answer is a resounding yes. But it’s not magic; it requires dedication, practice, and guidance from a trusted expert.
The Signpainters Academy delivers all of this with structured courses, real-time demonstrations, supportive community access, and decades of expertise from Paul Myerscough. What surprised me most was how personal and practical the experience felt.
If you’ve ever dreamed of mastering the beautiful craft of signpainting, you don’t need to wait for the perfect workshop. You can start today from the comfort of your own home, building skills, confidence, and even a potential career.
For more inspiration and to see the techniques in action, check out Paul’s YouTube channel and follow Instagram for tips and student showcases.
Originally published on: https://thesignpaintersacademy.com/can-you-really-learn-signwriting-online-heres-what-surprised-me/
