Norman Gilbert

Norman has a craftsman's attitude to his work.  He makes the supports on which he paints from the best materials available.  He then prepares tem meticulously with seven or eight costs of chalk ground by traditional methods.  Oil paint laid side by side on this semi-absorbent surface dries giving a substantial matt effect.

Six months later, after the painting has dried thoroughly, the protective coat of varnish makes the picture shine but a further coat of beeswax melted in turpentine makes it matt again.

Norman tries to make paintings that will last.  The paint will not crack, fade or fall off and the pristine white surface beneath the paint should mean that is does not darken in time.