A really nice email to recieve!

I was very pleased to hear from Janine, one of my lovely artists from the Bosworth Festival, yesterday: Thanks Janine!

“I really enjoyed the workshop and was amazed at my painting. You made it all so simple to follow and everyone's paintings looked so different but fantastic. I enjoyed your cake too - although I couldn't eat it all! I tweaked my painting at home and thought you might like to see the final outcome.

Many thanks for a fabulous and inspiring afternoon.”

Its always great to hear that artists enjoyed their day and to see the beautiful finished piece is wonderful. Im sure you’ll agree, its gorgeous!

Market Bosworth Festival - Painting Workshop

There were thirteen participants in my painting workshop last weekend at Bosworth Festival Big Sunday and here they are with their moonlight hare paintings. It was a new experience for us all, teaching and painting in a massive posh tent! But what a lovely day it was. I had to concentrate on making myself heard as the brass band played right outside. There were carefree dogs and children cantering about and the biggest cake anyone had ever seen ( my fault- I made it). Everyone produced a unique and beautiful painting. This was a group with abilities that ranged from professional artists to those who were picking up a paintbrush for the first time!
I was given plenty of help by the Festival volunteers and Tim and Lorraine from the White Dove Gallery. The Bosworth Festival was a great success again this year and a pleasure to be a part of.

Setting up for the Rainbow Cow Painting Workshop today

I’m lucky in that when I run a Sunday workshop at Sharpes Pottery Museum, I’m able to set the room up the evening before so that it’s not such a rush in the morning. The volunteers very kindly get all the tables and chairs out ready for me too -all much appreciated! Here is my room almost ready for today’s Rainbow Cow workshop. Today we have a group of people who booked the workshop privately on a date to suit them all. They are all beginners and that doesn’t matter at all! You can do the same, if you want me to organise a group event, maybe for a birthday party or a hen ‘do’ just get in touch and I can tailor a workshop day to your requirements.

painting workshop at sharpes pottery museum swadlincote

Some feedback from my painting workshop

2Absolutely brilliant day. Thanks so much Sue for your teaching style is as inspiring and fun as your art which I love. Lots of fun and laughter and art, all the art. 💞💕💞

This is a whole new medium style of painting and size for me, and you gave me the confidence to get stuck in and put my usual doubts away, not to be downhearted if I thought it was going wrong but to stand back and look through fresh eyes. I now know where I need to go to complete my handsome beast and my first set of acrylic paint are on order already. Lol

I couldn't think of any suggestions at the time but I have now... make sure we can book for the next one right there and then... I have now booked for the kingfisher... so you will have to put up with me again 😆”

“Had a brilliant day today learning all about a very different style of painting to my own. Thank you for a great day Sue.

Anyone looking for a fab day learning about painting wherever your imagination takes you should get booked in with Sue”.

Thank you Ian and Kirsty for your beautiful comments, it really made my day! If you want to book on one of my workshops in Leicestershire (Ashby) or Derbyshire (Swadlincote) check the workshop booking page here

There is a two day weekend workshop coming up in October too, for those further afield who would like to have an art mini break!

A unique idea for a 'Hen Do'

My painting workshops are both fun and relaxing and everyone leaves with their piece of beautiful original artwork! If you are organizing a Hen Party, a special birthday party, or perhaps a team outing from work, I can design a day’s painting workshop to suit your party. Beginners are welcome! All the materials are supplied, and if required I can arrange catering, although I always keep participants supplied with plenty of tea and cake -got to keep your energy levels up after all! Just give me a ring 01283 223239 or email enquiries@suegardnerstudio.com to ask about pricing and availability

Choose from many animal and bird-themed painting days - some popular ideas are Highland cows, Alpacas, Flamingoes, Moongazing Hares, Chickens…

A recent Highland Cow themed art workshop day

My first Swadlincote art workshop - Snowy Stags!

My first Swadlincote art course, how did the artists enjoy it?

I held my first Swadlincote art course on the 17th October , at Sharpes Pottery Museum. There were 5 people booked on the day and everyone turned up on time :) We began by grabbing coffee and settled in for a fun morning’s painting. I took them through all the stages that I do when Im painting a stag. Of course this was a speeded -up version of my real life practice. We had the added advantage of using acrylics so that we could progress quickly through all of the stages and finish the paintings in one day.

Georgina creating a stag full of character, in her favourite colours, orange features highly in this piece

After lunch we added the element of snow with glazing and different size and shape brushmarks.

The day went super quickly. It was alot of information to take in and Im sure the attendees all had an early night after the concentration of the day.

Fortified with cake and cups of tea, everyone succeeded in creating amazing original pieces of art and I was so pleased with them! I’ve had marvellous feedback from everybody - to find out how you can participate check this out