Julian Hesketh is a Master Conservator and practicing artist with a deep focus on material science and historical techniques. Trained at the City & Guilds of London Art School, he possesses specialized knowledge in everything from egg tempera to bronze casting. He has spent 15 years restoring masterpieces and teaching technical art history.
Julian Hesketh combines the hands-on skill of a master craftsman with the scientific rigour of a conservator. After completing his training at the renowned City & Guilds of London Art School, he worked in private conservation studios restoring 17th-century oil paintings and fragile works on paper. His technical expertise is vast, covering the chemistry of pigments, the precise application of gold leaf gilding, and the complex 'lost wax' process used in bronze sculpture. Julian writes for practicing artists who want to understand the 'why' behind traditional rules, explaining how distinct mediums like tempera or encaustic behave over centuries. He is particularly adept at diagnosing the causes of degradation in mixed media works and advising on the longevity of contemporary materials. His articles serve as a bridge between the sterile lab environment of conservation and the messy reality of the artist's studio. He advocates for the revival of slow, deliberate craftsmanship in an era of digital speed.