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The History of Nitram Charcoal
Provided by Daniel Gros, France.
In 1914, my father, Martin Gros was born in Spain. At the end of the Spanish Civil War he moved to France just as the WWII started in 1939.
These were difficult times and work was hard to come by so he got a job working on a local farm. He started making charcoal in the forests of L'yonne, France. He did this until 1962 when the new owner for a very old charcoal manufacturer (Luxor) hired him.
He worked there until 1965 when he decided to open his own factory. I was 15 years old at the time and was expected to help. The new charcoal Company was called NITRAM, which is Martin spelled backwards.
The beginning years were very difficult. Demand was small and production was not very consistent. However, in 1968 an important client placed a large order that could not be met using current production methods and techniques. This required a new approach. Quality wood and specialized equipment, which I experimented with and designed, helped shape Nitram to become the product it is today.
In 1981 my father retired and I left my job at the post office to continue manufacturing Nitram. I invested in a larger piece of property as well as new machinery and a specialized oven. This oven, which is still in service, helped assure a cleaner manufacturing process, while maintaining quality. Over the years I refined the process with newer and larger models.
The Nitram methodology and the spirit of Nitram Fussains has been passed on to Jerzy Niedojadlo, who as a practicing artist has shown a great passion for Nitram charcoal. Jerzy has what it takes to maintain the quality of Nitram Charcoal and continue to make it available to artists worldwide.
A bientôt.
Daniel Gros,
Arces, France.
In 1914, my father, Martin Gros was born in Spain. At the end of the Spanish Civil War he moved to France just as the WWII started in 1939.
These were difficult times and work was hard to come by so he got a job working on a local farm. He started making charcoal in the forests of L'yonne, France. He did this until 1962 when the new owner for a very old charcoal manufacturer (Luxor) hired him.
He worked there until 1965 when he decided to open his own factory. I was 15 years old at the time and was expected to help. The new charcoal Company was called NITRAM, which is Martin spelled backwards.
The beginning years were very difficult. Demand was small and production was not very consistent. However, in 1968 an important client placed a large order that could not be met using current production methods and techniques. This required a new approach. Quality wood and specialized equipment, which I experimented with and designed, helped shape Nitram to become the product it is today.
In 1981 my father retired and I left my job at the post office to continue manufacturing Nitram. I invested in a larger piece of property as well as new machinery and a specialized oven. This oven, which is still in service, helped assure a cleaner manufacturing process, while maintaining quality. Over the years I refined the process with newer and larger models.
The Nitram methodology and the spirit of Nitram Fussains has been passed on to Jerzy Niedojadlo, who as a practicing artist has shown a great passion for Nitram charcoal. Jerzy has what it takes to maintain the quality of Nitram Charcoal and continue to make it available to artists worldwide.
A bientôt.
Daniel Gros,
Arces, France.
What People Are Saying About Nitram
I can't believe it. I just found out that you're back. I can't wait to pick up some new boxes. I've been jealously guarding and hardly using my little stash for a couple of years now. My quality of life has just increased a thousand fold.
I can hardly contain myself! Jennifer F
Recently discovered your amazing charcoal, and it is simply fantastic.
Thank you for making such a great product! Richard D
I can hardly contain myself! Jennifer F
Recently discovered your amazing charcoal, and it is simply fantastic.
Thank you for making such a great product! Richard D
Newest Retailers
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Asheville Art Supply 344 Depot Street Asheville, North Carolina 28801 www.ashevilleartsupply.com Pegasus Art Shop Griffin Mill, London Road, Thrupp Stroud, Gloucestershire United Kingdom GL5 2AZ www.pegasusart.co.uk |
Art & Frame of Sarasota 1055 South Tamiami Trail Sarasota, Florida 34236 www.in2art.com |
Featured Artist: Helen Frost
I originally trained as an Architect, but after a lengthly qualifying period I saw that seniority was inversely proportional to drawing time. I realised that I was in it for the drawing and designing, both of which I had loved since childhood.
As I focussed more and more on drawing I began to see occasional examples of astonishingly fine work. Each time I enquired where it came from the answer was always the same - atelier training.
There was, and still is not much information about what atelier experience really like, one of the reasons why I started my blog.
I've spent the last year studying at LARA (The London Atelier of Representational Art), which has opened up a whole new world for me.
Nitram is used there, and I was amazed just how much more I could do with it, under the guidance of my tutors.
As I focussed more and more on drawing I began to see occasional examples of astonishingly fine work. Each time I enquired where it came from the answer was always the same - atelier training.
There was, and still is not much information about what atelier experience really like, one of the reasons why I started my blog.
I've spent the last year studying at LARA (The London Atelier of Representational Art), which has opened up a whole new world for me.
Nitram is used there, and I was amazed just how much more I could do with it, under the guidance of my tutors.
 Apianus Charcoal on Roma paper This was my favourite cast drawing to date. The cast and set up (I'm not sure which) were quite unusual in that its mood seemed to change depend on the view point in the room. I think a little of that crept into the drawing. |
 San Benedetto Charcoal on Roma paper. I found this one very difficult with so many rhythms everywhere. I think I could have done better with the set up here too. |
 Ariadne Charcoal and Chalk on toned Roma paper. This was interesting because the face is so stylised. I wanted to draw it particularly because of that amazing curve of her neck. |
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Visit Helen's website to view more of her work.
Would you like to have your biography and work featured in our next newsletter?
Email jerzy@nitramcharcoal.com
Nitram Fine Art Charcoal, Unit 210 137 Main Street North, Markham Ontario Canada L3P1Y2
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