News and snaps from my studio. Sometimes I write about new pieces that I’m working on that are not released yet. If I think of a tip or piece of advice that will help you look after your painting I’ll often share it here. If there’s something specific you want to find, there is a search box down below.
Big Bold and Bright - New Large Cow Paintings
I can always tell when the nights are beginning to draw in by the colours that find their way back into my paintings! Here I am revelling in the bright reds again with touches of orange and lemon yellow.
This big Highland Cow oil painting is very nearly finished and will soon be available for sale (with her sister below,) on my website
Highland cow in a summer meadow
I am re-working this painting as I wanted to add a lot more interest into her surroundings and a summery feel to the piece.
These soft blended oil paint effects look almost like watercolour and Im excited to see how she will turn out!
Highland cow in a summer meadow
Read MoreBright Woodland Colours; A New Stag Painting
Lots of lovely emerald, turquoise and scarlet in this piece. I'm going to add some texture in the final layer when this one is dry in a day or two.
These two have been in the works for a long time. They were painted at my old studio and moved into storage when i took this new studio at the Ferrers Centre. I have only just had time to get them out and have a look. I decided they werent finished after all, and I have addedd some more layers of brighter colour and changed their background. Now they are finally ready to greet the world with their high spirits!
This piece is an original oil pn a stretched canvas, ready to hang. The painting is available for worldwide shipping (with a couple of restricted countries). Find out more here
An Oil Painting Demonstration
Last week I was delighted to attend the Desford and Peckleton Art Club. Theirs is an evening meeting so I arrived at 1830 to set up my easel and get my paints ready. The demonstration ran between 1915 and 2100 with a tea break in the middle.
It is always a strange experience, to paint in front of a group of people. Just as in the studio, you hope that you will achieve the desired results but you never quite know. It’s exactly the same when folk are watching and listening, with the added chance of making yourself look like a fool!
I decided that I would demonstrate some of the current ideas I’m working on so that I could show my thoughts and decision-making process in ‘real-time’. I took one piece that I had already made a start on, the week before. And one blank canvas that I had prepared with a rough coat of black oil paint as a base.
Both pieces were of the same Eagle Owl in different poses. These were photos that we had taken of Max, one of the owls at the Rosliston Owl Centre on our visit back in April.
With the first piece, I was able to show how I begin a painting by working straight onto the canvas with a large brush. How I map out the composition, and my thought process when deciding where everything should go. In the second painting, I showed how I progress a piece after the first layer is dry, working back into the piece in glazes of colour and editing as I go along.
It was a very nice evening and hopefully it was interesting for the group of artists.
Ready to start layer 2, bac at the studio
My colours were transparent maroon, ultramarine and white
I had to dash away quickly at the end, as I turn into a pumpkin at sunset. This is due to my impaired vision not allowing me to drive after dark. Particularly on unlit country roads. I think this will preclude my attending evening groups in future, however, I will still be able to demonstrate for daytime art clubs.
Here is the first of the paintings after another hour’s work back in the studio today.
A New Oil Painting: Colourful Escapism
This piece is a flight of fancy. Ive used all of the colours of the rainbow! Layer upon layer of textured colour creates a stunning, joyful piece to enliven any space.
An original oil painting, I have titled this one ‘Ben Nevis’.
Ben Nevis is available for sale here
A painting of two hares for sale
This original piece is one of a series that features pairs of hares, surrounded by the magic of a wildflower meadow. I have two available pieces, and this one is’ March Hares’. Traditionally these could be called Boxing Hares, but in reality, this is more like two hares playing and having fun. The piece is quite unique, with all of the little flowery details. I came up with the idea while walking my dogs one morning last year, on one of those days when Spring is in the air and the wildlife is very much in evidence!
This piece is available for sale here
Warm shades of copper, gold and soft green
It’s a very busy time n the studio this month as we all have a full schedule of exhibitions over the Autumn and Winter to prepare for.. This new piece measures around 60 x 90 cm and is a flurry of colours and shapes, in soft seasonal tones. I love to be inspired by the tangle of hedgerow foliage this time of year, and it shows up in my paintings.
Once dry, this piece will be available to purchase on my website, or from my studio by appointment.
Paint your own cow!
My Colourful Rainbow Highland Cow Workshops are always popular, and I have been asked to hold a half day session at Sharpes Pottery Museum in November. This will be a step by step painting workshop, on how to create a colourful highland cow from start to finish! Dont worry if you have never painted since school, beginners and more experienced artists are all very welcome / I simplify the process, breaking it down into fun steps. You can have a pre-drawn canvas too, to allow you to relax and focus on your colour choices.
Book online, the Saturday afternoon workshop/class is £60 including all your materials, and refreshments - just bring yourself. This is an ideal pre-Christmas treat and would also make a lovely girft for a loved one. Why not team up for a friends’ day out?!
Braemar Daisies
She is such a sweetheart, check out those eyes!
Available as a fine art canvas giclee print, with the option of a sleek black float frame to complement her perfectly!
@Welcome to my World’ hanging on the wall at my studio this week
The second in my new series of paintings from the National Forest. Im so inspired by the spirit of regeneration that this project embodies. This piece features an intimate landscape, one of the tangled and wild pathways through the woods near my home. I painted this piece in my usual expressive, intuitive way, saturated in colour.
As you can see from my photographs, the colours in this painting are rich when viewed close up, and slightly more muted when viewed standing back from the painting.
Welcome to my World
76 x 60 cm
Original oil painting on canvas
Gallery wrapped ready to hang,
International shipping is available
Comes with a certificate of authenticity
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Working in my new studio space every day, I find myself getting curious about the history of the building and surrounding estate, and how the Ferrers Centre came into being. So I tried to see what I could find out… and there is a lot(!) of history and interesting things to find out about. Below is a brief history. Of course, now that I have begun to read about these things, I’m even more curious than I was before and will delve deeper when I get the chance. One thing is for sure, it’s a privilege to be able to work here and create art surrounded by such a wonderful estate
Staunton Harold Church
The church was built in 1653 by Robert Shirley, in defiance of Cromwell, and in support of the King. Unfortunately, Shirley died in the Tower of London under Cromwell and didn’t get to see the church finished. After the monarchy was restored, the Church was completed by Richard Shepheard in 1665. Its a very interesting little church, and they sometimes give informative tours, which Im hoping to join in one day and find out more.
The Ferrers at Staunton Harold
The link between Staunton Hall and The Ferrers Name is a man called Robert Shirley (don’t call me Shirley) who inherited the family seat in 1646. He was a well-educated 7th baronet and headed for a career in politics. The peerage Baron Chartley of Ferrers was conferred on him so that he could proceed to the Houe of Lords. So he became the first Earl Ferrers
We are now on the 14th Earl Ferrers, although Staunton Harold Hall no longer belongs to that family. In 1954 the 12th Earl Ferrers put the house and land up for auction, and the hall was destined for demolition. Thankfully the hall was rescued and turned into a Cheshire home, later becoming a Sue Ryder Hospice. In 2003, the Blunt family bought the house and began to turn it back into a family home.
The Stable Block
The late 18th-century stable block, used to house the horses of the Staunton Estate, was arranged around a central courtyard. As well as stables, there was a coach house, grain store and quarters for unmarried servants. There was also a forge, which is still in use to this day. The Blunt family acquired the stable block in 1954 when they purchased Home Farm. By this time it had fallen into disrepair. The courtyard was overgrown and the buildings were standing derelict.
It took twenty years, but eventually the old neglected stableyard was transformed!
Ferrers Centre Today
The Blunt family had a wonderful vision of rebuilding and turning the space into a centre where craftspeople could work. It took until the seventies to achieve this dream, and in 1978, the first potter moved in. The centre has grown and thrived over the years and has become a hub for artists and craftspeople to work every day, and to offer their work for sale to the public right from their workspace. In this way, the centre is unique and has over 15 artisans working onsite, a Framers, a well-known Art Gallery, Deli and Tearooms to visit.
The Ferrers Centre for Arts and Crafts. Staunton Harold Hall, Melbourne Rd, Ashby-de-la-Zouch LE65 1RU Website
Staunton Harold Hall
The Hall is a country house built around a quadrangle, set in around 2000 acres. There is a church situated on the South East side., The ornate gateway to the Northeast front of the house is late 17th century, and the hound and the stag (below) were emblems of the coat of arms of the Shirley family. The gatehouse, at the Melbourne Road, entrance to the estate, was built in the 1800s.
The original house incorporated a Jacobean property, and was built around the early 1700s The Hall as it appears today is the result of rebuilding work carried out by the fifth Earl Ferrers beginning in 1763. The stables and walled kitchen garden were also built in the late 1700s. This was also when the two large lakes or pools, Church Pool, and Fish Pool were created, in place of the old formal gardens. The walled kitchen garden of three acres is now the site of the Garden Centre.
The Earls Ferrers
Even the name ‘Ferrers’ is interesting and I’ve seen quite a few local references to it. The name itself dates back to the Norman invasion, where a Man called Henry (de Ferrers) from Ferrieres Saint- Hilaire in Normandy was considered rather helpful to William the Conqueror, so he presented him with a huge amount of land as a result and he became one of the most influential men in the country at that time. Along with many other achievements, he founded Tutbuty Priory in 1080.
His son Robert became the Earl of Derby. Six generations of the de Ferrers Family would hold this title, which was taken away in 1275 after a rebellion. When the family was restored to favour 8 years later they were granted the Manor of Chartley, accompanied by the title Baron Ferrers of Chartley. The peerage continued until falling into abeyance in 1855.
It was Earl Ferrers, In the Study
It seems like he 4th Earl of Ferrers was actually not a very nice man even before he shot his old famildy steward in 1760. He shot him in a drunken rage, and the poor man died of his injuries the following day. Read more about this astonishing tale here. The Earl was the very last Peer to be hanged for murder in this country.
References: https://www.lrgt.org/places/staunton-harold-hall/
https://www.stauntonharoldestate.co.uk/history/
https://www.visitleicester.info/see-and-do/staunton-harold-estate-and-ferrers-centre-for-arts-and-crafts-p806181
Behind the scenes!
One day last week I arrived at the studio and decided to de-clutter and have a bit of a move-around to maximise the space. I took some photos during the tidying session but forgot to take any before-and-after. Space is always at a premium when you paint quite big canvases! It is creative chaos!
Ill get some more photos this week
Lion Painting For Sale
He is a big lad!
A dramatic large painting of a lion, 100 X 100 cm. Or 40 x 40 “ lion painting on stretched canvas. I chose a new palette that I'm loving at the moment which is based around a transparent maroon and indanthrone blue, together they mix to make some really stunning muted shades, browns, and greyed-down violets. Then I added an Indian yellow-red shade for the golden highlights, all with a warm white that I mixed. I’ve named him ‘Rough Boy’ and he is now available for sale.
As you can see below, my most recently completed bespoke painting was an enormous painting of a Highland Cow, in lovely warm, Autumn colours. The owenrs were inspired by another of my pieces, from a year or two back, named Islay. They wanted a similar piece, but a lot bigger and with even more orangey tones. Of course no two cow pictures are ever really the same, but the inspiration piece was there in the back of my mind as I was painting. The project took around 6 weeks to complete, as there were four or five layers of paint to build up, and each needed time to dry in between. Its a slow priocess but the final results make up for it - the textures and colours interplay and beautify the surface of the canvas. Close-up, the painting is a tangle of brush strokes and textured paint, when you step back the cow emerges.
If you would like to discuss your own next commissioned piece, dont hesitate to get in touch. I am open to requests until the end of September. hello@suegardnerstudio.com
Safe Arrival!
Hi Sue,
I just wanted to let you know that the painting arrived safely.. She looks absolutely stunning on the wall and we are so pleased with the final product. Thank you so much!! I'm sure we will be commissioning another piece in the future.
All the best,
Bonnie
Big Cow on Canvas
Im getting close to finishing this big lady, (100 x 120cm ) My easel at the studio in Ferrers is not my big hefty easel, and I really noticed the difference yesterday. I had to hammer three wooden canvas wedges into the workings of the easel to stop it sliding down to the floor under the weight of this canvas.
Featuring:
The Milky Way!
‘Starlight’ is an original oil painting measuring 60 x 76 cm, with a beautiful Barn Owl against a starry night sky. He is available for sale currently and will be on display at my studio. I love to be surrounded by owls, they are so calming.
Painting of a Snowy Owl
I love owls, and they are gorgeous to paint, too. This new one is a Snowy Owl, half in shade, with one golden amber eye glowing.
Update* He is now finished and available for sale here
Large Stag Oil Painting, as yet un-named - 100 x 150 cm
A big new deer painting in the works
My latest large painting (100 x 150 cm ) is a painting of a stag, with proud antlers festooned with undergrowth and bracken. Im using beautiful natural shades of leaf-green, sage-green, gold and warm browns to give a contemporary yet classical effect. Once finished, he will be available to purchase on my website here
Lion painting for sale
I was at the studio this morning tidying up after the weekend’s festivities, and I thought Id take a couple of photographs and a video of my original painting of a lion, called ‘Rufus’. I love this piece, the colours always put me in a good mood, and his serious expression makes me smile.
Rufus is looking for a special home and is available to purchase here where you can see lots more photographs of this lovely fella.
