Chapter 6

Difficult Working Conditions

Working on a commission such as this Norman developed his composition by producing preliminary drawings based on observations which become smaller versions of the final composition. This allowed Norman to be confident that by a series of steps, the final full scale version actually worked in terms of the relationship between the figures and the overall composition.

The actual execution of the commission proved even more challenging than he had initially anticipated and at times he began to doubt his own ability to finish the painting.

The first version was scaled to 300 cm, and placed from the bedroom window sill to the top of the stairs. He was sometimes in despair with feelings of anxiety and obsession and imagined:

“Artist found hung in front of unfinished picture”.

The winter conditions began to take their toll and sometimes icicles had to be broken to access the hall which had no heating. He had to wear several coats to keep warm, a muffler, a cap and gloves! Caring support was provided by his wife Sarah and positive support also from Bob and George Heslop, and Bert Dees who were occasionally admitted into the hall to view the mural’s progress by means of a secret knock which gained them entry. They had all been members of The Settlement Sketching Club.