Gillie Hoyte Byrom

Gillie Hoyte Byrom hand-paints portrait miniatures in vitreous enamel.   She has mastered a traditional skill rarely practised in the UK today.   This involves precise enamel painting techniques which she learned in Barcelona and in Russia.   She also has a talent for achieving a likeness.  

Each enamel has passed through a hot kiln many times in the process of building up successive thin layers of glass paint applied with sable brushes.   During the kiln firing the paint fuses with the enamel base of copper or 18ct gold.   This medium results in beautiful flesh tones and non-fading colours, creating a jewel-like heirloom to be treasured for generations.  

To qualify as a portrait miniature the head size needs to be within two inches (50mm) in length and all the detail in the painting must stand the test of full magnification.   
Gillie largely works to commission with an international clientele.   She likes to meet the subject of the portrait if possible but she can also work from photographs you may wish to supply.   She has over 20 years of experience with a full age range of portrait subjects and has also made many historical studies.

Gillie has won many awards for her enamel miniatures, gives lectures on enamel painting and has recently started to teach others on a 1:1 basis.   She welcomes visitors to her studio by appointment.