Big Daddy Customs is located about an hour north of Pitts- Graphics Program. To see more of Big D’s work and informa-
burgh, PA. In addition to operating his own private custom tion about free custom paint demonstrations, go to BigDad-
paint shop, Thomas “Big Daddy” Banks works as the demon- dyCustoms.net
stration artist for Ohio Technical College’s Custom Paint and
In this article we will be going over dimensional lettering. There are 3 basic types of dimen-
sional lettering, that is lettering that has some sort of depth. 1. Raised Lettering
2. Recessed Lettering 3. Combination Lettering
Raised lettering is protruding from the surface. An example of raised lettering imagine a
statue at the bottom of the statue is a plaque that says so and so did something great in
whatever year. You can see what I’m talking about with the picture that says NEW YORK
CITY.
Recessed lettering is cut down into the surface. An example of recessed lettering think
about old school tombstones where they chiseled REST IN PEACE across it. You can see
what I’m talking about with the picture of the tombstone.
Combination lettering has characteristics of both raised and recessed types.
Let’s start with raised lettering first. I have my brushed alumi- 2. Once my letters are in place, I will start adding light high-
num panel, and want to add lettering that looks like it is jutting lights across the top and left sides of my letters (according
up from the surface. I will be using highlights and shadows to to my light source). With my light coming from the top / left,
do this. Once again, I must determine my light source before I I have to think where that light will catch and reflect from my
begin. I will be using a top left light source for this panel. lettering (since it is raised off the surface).
1. I use masking to cut out the lettering I will be using. I will be 3. Now, I will start adding my drop shadows opposite of my
using the “positive image”. In other words, I will be using the let- light source (right and bottom). The shadows will be darkest
ters themselves, and remove all the masking around them. right up against the masking, and allowed to fade away.
4. I carefully remove my masking. It’s
that easy. Notice how all the highlights
and shadows all make sense to my sin-
gle lightsource.
I add a quick tribal design underneath,
using the same technique to add some
character. Nice, quick, and easy!
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