ABOUT NICK
A Born and Bred, London Artist and Typographic Signwriter.
The Difference is found in a Fine Art training.
FINE ART STUDIES
Trained as a fine art painter and enjoyed immensely portraiture and life learning to paint with the post Euston Road school.
I was awarded first prize at graduation with honours degree at Camberwell School of art, London in 1981.
I guess it’s true to say that being able to paint and draw portraits like this one below, made signwriting a slightly easier walk in the park.
The Lady in Lace. 1975-76. Pencil on paper – Nick Garrett.
The drawing required 6 different pencil types ranging from 3B to 6H. Approx the size of a postage stamp completed each week. 13 months to finish.
TUTORS
My tremendous art mentors and tutors were: Francis Baker (portrait below), Andrew Whitmore, Anthony Eyton, Clive Garland, Roger Leworthy, Jane Parkhouse, Sarah Raphael, Mario Dubsky, and Euan Uglow
”I believe that fine art sets you akin to Art and Lettering History… I don’t think a Graphic Design training forges that connection… that’s why most of the bygone sign writers started out looking at Trajan and Durer…”
Portrait of the artist’s grandfather. 1976. Oil on canvas – Nick Garrett.
Charitable work
Nick seen here marking out a mural panel created as tryptic for Agazzano Middle School in Piacenza Province Italy in 2019.
I’m always willing to assist charitable donation projects for schools, hospitals and welfare homes.
I also work from the heart in the high street too: generosity and trust is what makes me tick… and the right team to work with.
Nick’s family history: full of Master London letterers.
My mother was a constant driving force encouraging me to draw and paint. I went on to hang by the knee of her dad while he crafted letters, and train with some of the country’s pre-eminent artists and craftsmen, who have reinvigorated this ancient skill of sign writing and fine art.
These artisans were intense and always demanded me to try way more than my hardest: old school, not always easy to work with, but they were incredibly special, honest, gifted people, who always saw things in high contrast.
”Never say you’ve done your best…”
Andrew Whitmore sign painter.
When I first got into signwriting in 1981 I thought most of the trade were either a painting stuff a bit over the top, tarty, gimmicky and circussy… I became highly critical of myself and others… I still am as it constantly forces me to improve.
Then there were a few utterly dedicated masters like Uglow and Sharpington that just made things appear simple, clean, beautiful… I chose those as my guides and influencers.
Nick Garrett
A MODERN LETTERING TEAM
Most days we are on site making somewhere in London becoming beautiful.
We invite confidence, with our depth of skills and dedication.
Warmth and trust with clients is very important to me: I put my client first – they usually know they have found a very keen eye in NGS, and a forthright project steward.
… always protecting their best interests.
”Seraina has a rare, similar drive and is able to convey great ideas. that build a genuine connection with client and audience”
We always bring a special gift to each project from our studio archives.
We look after your business as if it were our own.
Our letters are never overdressed but always look impeccable.
King Charles II AstraZeneca Cambridge Research Centre (DISC) entrance statement | PROJECT LINK.
GENUINE QUALITY CHANGES LIVES
Whenever our clients ask for ‘the character of hand painted signage’, I know they have come to us with the right priorities onboard.
Because we only use artisan techniques, tools and materials, to create genuinely unique work.
We can say with confidence – your NGS sign is going to work magic for you and build your name… sometimes in the most unexpectedly special way
CONTINUALLY TALKING, WHISPERING, SINGING AND SHOUTING!
Hand painted signs are alive after 2 decades of decline. Once again the new audience understand how crafted letters stand out from mass produced, plastic and vinyl signs that blight many a high street.
In paint then, letters immediately become talkative, convincing, always providing that memorable personal voice and client connection. They are alive… and interact with people in unique, and special ways.
MY NEW ‘RESTORATION’ SERIES
I’m bringing back the lettering classics, in a modern format.
Some of the most famous font styles of the 19th and 20th centuries housed in new streamlined styling.
The Custom Classic Series letters are synonymous with remarkable beauty and dynamic visual style…
go on, get some!!!
THEN NOW: PAINTING AND GILDING ALL LONDON!
Beginning a sign career with the birth of London pub revival in 80s, Nick introduced distinguished, all gold ‘Caslon-meets-Helvetica’ styles and the retro signature gleam of gilded Trajan Roman Letters.
Styles that have inspired the most memorable identities in across London for 30 years!
DRIVING TREND
In the years since exploding onto the sign revival scene in 2013, as a pub writer of distinction, Nick has remained the abiding choice of the most discerning signage commissioners.
”I’ve taken risks and loved every minute of it!”
The studio now serving as a relentless influencer lens for many emerging trend driven designers and clients alike.
THE LETTER WHISPERER: FEELING THE PULSE
Today NGS are at the forefront of modern-meets-classical sign writing.
Not only creating authentic traditional styles but restoring the typefaces of the past for the beauty of London today alongside brand new fonts and identities for all.
2000 year old lettering of Rome: continue to inspire our latest projects and fonts
We are setting new trends with styles that come from years of passion and often centuries, nay millenia! of extraordinary origins.
Enjoy the journey and hopefully join us for some serious fun and exciting creativity along the way. Nick Garrett
A MAN OF FINE LONDON LETTERS
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