About — Archie Proudfoot

ABOUT / CONTACT

It began with a brush

When I first picked up a chisel-tipped sign painting brush it was the first brush I’d touched in years.

At school I had dreamt of being an artist one day, but in the midst of more ‘sensible’ choices that dream was lost. By Learning how to paint signs the old way I found a route back.

The years of dedication and discipline I devoted to manipulating these brushes and mastering the craft powered a wider creative rediscovery.

Once I could pull off those long elegant brush strokes I rode the wave of the revival in the craft, painting signs for businesses and homes all over my home city of London.

In my first small shared studio space I began to create artwork using these techniques, exploring our relationship with language in glass, gold and enamel.

The combination of this craft sensibility and an artists eye began to attract larger commissions, and over the years I’ve made work for the likes of Soho House, Audi UK, Hauser & Wirth and the Tate.

Now I get to live that old dream: Turning up every day to my beautiful studio, drawing, painting or filming a broad range of work for me, my buyers and my clients. But whatever the project is it always comes back to the brush.

What can I do for you?

I really enjoy the diversity of my work. Every commission I do is different, as unique as the person who asks me to do it. And I’m always interested in exploring new areas and facing new challenges. So even if you don’t see a like for like example on this site don’t assume I can’t or won’t be able to be help. Get in touch and we can take it from there.

email: hello@archieproudfoot.com

Signs painted the old way, marked out in pencil and painted in with a brush. Sign work spans a vast array of surfaces and spaces. Take a look at some of my sign work here.
Need something created for the digital realm but still want it to have the soul of something hand painted? I can help you with that.
I love going big with mural work. Take a look at my Markfield Road project or the mural I created for the offices of Ogilvy UK
Need just the right size piece for a certain spot in your house? A private commission could be the way to go

FAQ

How did you learn to paint signs?

I’m mostly self taught as a sign painter and more broadly as an artist. But what set me down the road was a week long ‘Intro to Sign Painting’ course with the legendary Joby Carter. I went way back in November 2012, and they’re still going! Sadly it takes a lot longer than a week to ‘get it’ but Joby’s course is an ideal place to start your own sign painting journey.

Can I come and see your shed?

As much as I would love to have people visit the wonder of The Frankenshed in person it’s in my garden which is part of my house. So it would be a bit weird if you just turned up.

It would also mean I’d need to keep it tidy all the time, which would be against its nature.

Do you ship your artwork internationally

Yes! Prints and editions are shipped using Royal Mail International Tracked and Signed.

Private commissions or original artworks are shipped using a specialist courier to ensure safe passage.

Can I return a print? I’m not sure it’s right for me.

Absolutely. You have 14 days from when your print arrives to return it for a full refund if you’re not happy for any reason. Email hello@archieproudfoot.com to get a return address.

I won’t cover the cost of the return postage though, this isn’t ASOS, sorry.

Will you paint my shop sign?

I used to say yes to about 80% of all commission inquires, now its more like 20%. I want to protect my time to create new artwork as much as possible. I still love getting up a ladder and painting a fascia but it needs to matter to me.

And the best way for it to matter is for me to be involved in the design of the type I’m painting. So if you just need some average graphic design painted out without any thought to some extra ‘eye appeal’ then I might not be your guy.