sue gardner 12/01/2022 sue gardner 12/01/2022

New painting of a lion in gorgeous warm shades of red and gold.

Rufus the Lion, in shades of red, gold and plum, 76 x 76 cm, and will be heading to exhibit in a local gallery soon.

sue gardner 30/12/2021 sue gardner 30/12/2021

2021 paintings

Once again, I have made a slideshow of the pieces that have found beautiful new homes this year.

Thank you everyone, I appreciate you a lot! Happy New Year!

sue gardner 19/08/2021 sue gardner 19/08/2021

How to clean your original oil painting .

Oil paintings should last for hundreds of years, careful handling and attention will give your newly purchased painting the best chance of a great long life!

Handling: An oil painting needs careful handling and needs to be protected from sharp objects that can tear the surface. This also applies to anything that could put pressure on the surface and stretch it out of shape. The canvas can become 'bruised' or dent with surprisingly little force, so be super careful if leaning the painting against anything that is not a flat wall. (I have almost had a mishap when leaning a canvas against an innocuous-looking storage bag, luckily I noticed in time that it was bending the surface of the painting slightly.)

Be careful when you handle the painting, that nothing you are wearing (buckles, rings etc) could scratch the surface. Lift the piece from the two sides, so you don’t accidentally tip the painting and knock it against anything. Avoid door handles like the plague, they can catch and tear your canvas. (Ask me how I know)

If you ever do have an accident, don’t panic. Oil paintings can be restored by a professional, to the point where you would never know there was a problem. But it’s best to save yourself the stress and expense of that!

Lighting: Although all of the premium quality oil paints that I use are certified lightfast and therefore my paintings will not fade, it is nevertheless always good practice not to display your painting in bright direct sunlight. The best lights to use for illuminating a painting are designed for the purpose, otherwise, diffuse lighting is a good choice.

Temperature: Try not to hang the painting in a place where temperatures are likely to fluctuate. Lots of changes in temperature could potentially warp the wooden stretcher bars that support the canvas. The ideal highest temperatures are 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping the range of temperature that your canvas is exposed to within a 20-degree limit is ideal.

Humidity: (Don’t hang it in the bathroom) High humidity in the atmosphere can cause the canvas to stretch and become less taut on the frame, and is best avoided. If your canvas does begin to 'sag' then it can be re-tightened on the frame, you would just need to visit a framer. It is a good idea to keep paintings away from humidifiers and heaters if possible, to be on the safe side.

Cleaning: If you want to clean the surface of your oil painting, it is possible to clean any dust from the painting by using a very soft brush or white soft cloth. Go gently, and avoid knocking any texture areas off of the surface of the painting. Dont be tempted to use any cleaning sprays or solvents at all as these can damage the painting. If the painting requires more cleaning, then you can use a little warm water and olive oil soap and very gently clean the surface. Only use a slightly damp, not soaking wet, cloth. Do not rub, and dont use paper towels or anything abrasive.

If the painting needs more cleaning than this, I would consult a professional art restorer for advice.

I really hope you find this article helpful.I will also put together a guide to storing and transporting original oil paintings on canvas, and post it here.

sue gardner 14/08/2021 sue gardner 14/08/2021

I am as big as a bear!

I am making the most of painting in my new studio, where there is a lot of room. Im even using one of the walls as an extra easel. This gentleman is 150 x 100 cm and is nearly ready to appear on my website.

sue gardner 03/08/2021 sue gardner 03/08/2021

A brand new collection - on the easel!

inspired by a recent commission, I have begun a colourful new series of lion portraits, here is one of those on the easel. This one is 76 x 76 cm and will be available for sale at £600 plus shipping once dry.

sue gardner 04/09/2020 sue gardner 04/09/2020

Painting a pair of Puffins!

puffin painting in progress sue gardner.jpg

We are really missing our trips to the beach in Somerset with the dogs this year, so Im certainly enjoying painting this little pair by the sea! There is every chance that I will create a coastal series of pieces this Autumn to help me satisfy my craving for the sea air and the noisy waves!