Paint your own Rainbow Sheep!

On March 4th I’m holding a one-day painting workshop in which you can paint along with me, step by step and take home your own original sheep canvas at the end of the day.

The venue is the lovely Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, downstairs in the glazing room. This cosy historic building makes the perfect backdrop for a day of fun, relaxing and learning.

We will have a buffet lunch provided by the onsite caterers, and as always, plenty of coffee and tea and slices of homemade cake are provided.

Beginners and more experienced artists are very welcome, we usually have two or three participants who have never painted before, together with some who have, and are keen to do more. We have even had professional artists join in, for a relaxing day trying out a different medium. For more info and booking details click here

Big Cats Workshop at Sharpes Pottery Museum - a 'Roaring' Success

This was a good day, with a full compliment of ‘ workshop repeat offenders’ :D and amazing results! It particularly tickled me that the vigorous brushwork was triggering peoples' personal exercise monitors into asking 'Are you working out?'

Adding the block colours and then the markings, one step at a time

Beginning with the simple shapes - building a framework

Painting Birds - art workshop

A Wonderful Art Retreat, Painting Colourful Woodland Birds

What a lovely weekend spent painting with such a nice group of artists! Sharpe's Pottery Heritage and Arts Trust We were very nicely catered for by Sweet Caroline on both days with a super buffet, and toasties. And of course, there was plenty of cake - artists need to keep their strength up after all. We tried a variety of different acrylic painting techniques. The group all have different levels of expertise in different media so it was a really interesting weekend. Everyone got on really well and gave help, support and encouragement to one another. There was a lot of laughter and joking around, and everyone ended up producing 3 beautiful small paintings (apart from John who was on a roll on day 2 and painted two or three more!) Everyone took a paint kit home with them so they can carry on painting straightaway. I'm hoping they will keep in touch, and show me the results.

Painting Birds - Workshop next weekend!

Painting Birds - Workshop next weekend!

Im getting really excited about this now! This will be my first 2 day painting weekend workshop and Im holding it at Sharpes Pottery Museum, one of my favourite venues! This week I will be sourcing as many lovely woodland bird reference images as I can find, so that there is plenty of choice. Each guest will get the chance to paint three small bird canvases over the weekend. We will explore the shaped and markings and habitat of the birds themselves, and place them into beautiful light filled woodland settings from our imagination.

There is still time to join us - information on booking here.

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