Anne-Lise Blanchet, a former special needs educator, has dedicated the past seven years to reviving the nearly extinct craft of hand-painted lettering in her workshop in Ornans, in the Doubs region of eastern France. The traditional profession, which emerged in the late 19th century, virtually disappeared in the 1980s with the advent of plastic adhesive signage.
"In the 1980s, many letter painters converted to applying adhesive materials," explains Blanchet, who opened her workshop in 2018. "This workshop is also here to showcase the different types of lettering that are possible, representing different eras." Her studio serves as both a working space and a showcase for the diverse styles and techniques that characterized this traditional craft.
The art of letter painting encompasses various historical styles, each requiring specific techniques and materials. "For example, here I wanted to imitate lapidary engraving, which is an imitation of stone carving, using four different tones," Blanchet demonstrates. "This is oil paint, and it's called Roman capital lettering." Each style reflects a particular historical period and aesthetic approach.
Professional letter painting requires specialized tools that have remained largely unchanged for decades. "I work with what's called a marten brush, a letter painter's brush with a square tip that allows you to follow what we call the ductus of the letter properly," she explains. "With it, I can make signs, decorative objects, and various other applications." The ductus refers to the specific movement of the brush in cursive writing, a fundamental aspect of the craft.
The range of projects Blanchet undertakes is remarkably diverse, often carrying deep sentimental value for her clients. "I've redone the numbers on a gearbox of a vintage car, but it can also be vehicle license plates, pinstripes on a motorcycle, and so on. It's quite a broad palette," she notes. Currently, she's working on a particularly meaningful project: recreating a vintage sign based on a photograph of a client's father's bicycle and motorcycle shop from the 1950s-60s.
"I'm going to reproduce it to scale on tracing paper to be able to draw my lettering correctly, working carefully on the curves," Blanchet explains as she demonstrates her process. The meticulous attention to detail and historical accuracy are hallmarks of authentic letter painting, distinguishing it from modern digital reproductions.
Blanchet employs traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations of craftspeople. "We're going to make a pounce pattern, which is a very old and quite basic technique that allows you to reproduce the lettering on the support using a dressmaker's tracing wheel," she describes. "I'll pierce the letters and go over them to make micro-holes. Then, using tracing paper, I'll reproduce it on the support and then paint it."
Beyond the commercial aspects of her work, Blanchet sees her mission as preserving cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship. "Within these walls, there's the idea of transmitting know-how, values of authenticity, uniqueness, and not forgetting this old profession that existed and that I would like to perpetuate," she concludes. Her workshop represents more than just a business—it's a living museum and training ground for a craft that might otherwise be lost to history.
The revival of traditional letter painting reflects a broader movement toward artisanal crafts and authentic, handmade products in an increasingly digital world. Blanchet's work demonstrates how traditional skills can find new relevance and appreciation among contemporary clients seeking unique, personalized alternatives to mass-produced signage.
