Nothing Beats the Real Thing
- Anna Golden-Dukes
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
I recently came across a comment on one of our mural posts for the James Jean x Johnnie Walker collab that really stuck with me. It's a sentiment we hear often, surprise, nostalgia, and ultimately, appreciation for the craft of hand painting.
"Oh wow!! People still paint signs?! I used to have that job until I was replaced by a printer! Lol! This is gorgeous, though. Nothing beats the real thing!" - jberthelotart
In a visual landscape where digital and vinyl advertising are prevalent, hand painted murals stand out as a unique form of advertising. The artistry and authenticity of these murals offer a distinctive charm that resonates with audiences in a way that feels deeply personal and engaging. I should know; I work in the hand painted outdoor advertising industry.
We must step back to its roots to understand why hand painting matters.
The craft of sign painting stretches back to ancient civilizations. In ancient Egypt, signs and hieroglyphics were painted on the walls of tombs and temples to communicate messages and tell stories.
Fast forward to the 19th century, and sign painting became vital to commerce and culture.
Sign painters are the unsung heroes of advertising.They are responsible for creating billboards, storefront signs, and painted signs that adorned city buildings. You may have even noticed a ghost sign or two while walking around New York City.
Artists and craftsmen painted those ghost murals you still see fading on brick walls today. They weren't just painters, they were highly skilled and resourceful tradespeople who worked at scale and often in dangerous, high-up conditions.
Today, we carry on that legacy. Our paint crew at Overall Murals are modern-day walldogs—a term used to describe advertising painters who work like dogs, hanging off walls, hand painting massive designs with precision and grit.
But today's walldogs bring something new to the table. Many of our artists have formal training. They've studied anatomy, typography, color theory, and design fundamentals in art school. Others come from graffiti and street art, where they've honed their skills on the streets and developed a deep understanding of the power of visibility. What unites them is not just fearlessness in the face of sketchy heights or tricky surfaces; it's a passion for the analog process.
Despite being deeply plugged into technology and influenced by social media, our painters are drawn to the tactile, physical nature of painting by hand outdoors. In fact, that digital saturation makes them appreciate this slower, more intentional medium even more. They know they're not just making something beautiful—they're crafting moments that stop people in their tracks. That sparks conversations. That creates memories. There's just something undeniably human about this process.
Passersby ask about our techniques, watch as blank walls come to life, and share stories of when hand painted signs were the norm. We're often referred to as human printers, and for a time, we were. Then, machines replaced many of us.
But the walldog spirit never left. It just evolved. And in the digital age, where attention is the most valuable currency, that kind of impact is everything. Unlike a banner ad that disappears with a scroll, a hand painted mural holds physical and emotional space.
It's tangible, immersive, and personal.
It carries a level of prestige that digital and print simply cannot match. There's a reason luxury brands and high-end campaigns turn to hand painted advertising. It's about more than just visibility; it's about making a statement.
A hand painted ad isn't mass-produced. It's crafted. It stands apart from the noise of digital screens and glossy posters by offering something rare: an original, brushstroke-by-brushstroke creation that commands attention in a way that flat print or fleeting pixels never could. The richness of color, the texture of the wall, and the way natural light interacts with the paint make for a visual experience that's both vibrant and unforgettable.
Up close, you can see the detail in every stroke—the layering of color, the subtle hand movements, the marks that prove a human was here. You can feel the energy that went into it, the time, the care, the physicality of it all. Even the surface itself becomes part of the piece.
The cracks, the contours, the imperfections of the wall all contribute to the final image. It's why people stop to take it in, photograph it, and talk about it. A mural doesn't just blend into the urban landscape. It enhances it, making a city feel alive with art rather than just another backdrop for digital noise.
We love that our work sparks these conversations. It's a reminder that what we do isn't just about advertising—it's about keeping the age-old craft of hand painted signs and murals alive, honoring the past while making a bold statement in the present. The nostalgia people feel when they see a hand painted mural isn't just about the past; it's about recognizing the artistry that still has a place in the modern world.
