Norman Long (1976-) was born in Preston and received his BA from Newcastle University. Early-career awards, such as the de Laszlo Award (Royal Society of Portrait Painters) and Artist of the Year (Artist and Illustrators Magazine) established his reputation, firstly as a portrait painter and then gallery artist. In 2008 he was awarded a scholarship for Postgraduate study at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. 

Norman’s light-filled oils manifest his love for colour and a sensuous paint surface. He creates vibrant cityscapes and figurative compositions, capturing relationships between people in public spaces. 

An enthusiastic member of The Northern Boys outdoor painting group, Norman loves working en plein air. For figurative works, he combines painting from life with observational drawings, invention, photography and memory to convey the veracity of life.

“Sketching people unawares is one of the most exciting, unpredictable experiences an artist can have. There is an urgency to capture character and relationships before the subject moves or the light changes.”

The New English Art Club have shown Norman’s work for the past six years. Along with countless solo shows, he has exhibited with the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Royal Society of Portrait Painters, BP Portrait Award, Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Prize etc

Norman lives in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, with his American wife Lindsey and three young boys. He loves to share his expertise with beginner painters and is the author of a popular book on Oil Painting technique. He is a trustee of the Manchester Academy of Fine Art.       

Please Note: An exhibition of Norman’s work is currently at The Low Wood Bay Hotel, Windermere, Cumbria.

Summer Observations – Norman Long Paintings 5 August – 23 October 2024.

Images of the work in that exhibition will be posted here on the 9 August 2024.