A new colourful woodland painting
A new woodland oil painting. This colourful canvas is part of my new series ‘ Coming Back to Life’, this new oil painting is the third in the series.
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!
Painting cows!
While our numbers were depleted due to Covid infections, we had a lovely day at the workshop yesterday. The sun shone and the paint flew!
A Muted Palette
I have been experimenting with mixing some new grey shades for my latest deer and hare portraits. I have always loved mixing greys to use alongside my bright colour palette, as they provide a foil and a chance to rest the eye. Plus they are ever such fun to make, you can make grey in some surprising ways. I would tend to avoid mixing the obvious black and white which we all know about, which would produce a simple but flat mid tone. I have used warm blues, cool reds, viridian, yellow ochre amongst others, to make greyed down mixes that are full of life.
This time I challenged myself to explore greys further using them throughout the pieces, to evoke a calming restful sensation. These paintings are both still in the creation stage but I’ll show you them.
A new woodland painting
I have been begun a series of woodland paintings this year, inspired by my daily walks. We live in the Heart of the National Forest, which is the most amazing regeneration project imaginable. Turning the old mining country from ‘black to green’. Around here there are miles and miles of trees planted on the land that was scarred by the mining industry, with country trails tying it all together. We are very lucky indeed. I’m adding a new page to my website which will showcase these paintings in a series entitled ‘Coming Back to Life’ The first of these pieces recently sold at Ferrers Gallery. This new painting us yet to be named and will be available for sale on this website shortly.
A word of warning about bogus art prints on Amazon
Art Fakes - Copyright Issues
A kind customer contacted me today to show me a fake listing of my work on Amazon. Unfortunately, this is not a new issue, and whenever I have a spare 30 minutes, I report copyright infringements and remove the fake items. It seems to be a never-ending battle but Ill continue to do it. Not only is it thievery from me as they have stolen my image to use for their own greedy purposes. But the most annoying thing is that they produce terrible quality reproductions that are bound to disappoint the innocent purchaser. This is because they don’t have any access whatsoever to my proper high-quality high-resolution files, so the rubbish-quality prints they make are highly pixelated. I hate to see the feedback they get describing poor, blurry images. Of course, they don’t care, they’ve got their money and they couldn’t care less about building a relationship of trust with their customers. They don’t care. But I do, so I’m just letting you know it’s always ok if you want to check in with me if you’re considering purchasing a print and you’re not sure if it’s authorised merchandise. I’ll be happy to take a look and let you know.
This one above is a typical fake. Cheeky devils have even named this ‘The Night of the Rabbit’! The original of this is in fact called ‘Magic by Moonlight’ and is my original oil painting, sold in 2020. I will endeavour to get these people reported immediately.
New Kingfisher oil painting on the easel
Flash of Gold 61 x 91 cm original Kingfisher oil painting on canvas
New Kingfisher oil painting
My latest Kingfisher painting is finally ready, incorporating many layers of beautiful translucent oil paint in glowing colours, to create this atmospheric piece. This painting in 61 x 91 cm and ready to hang.
A new colourful hare painting in progress
Here is a new painting in progress, after the second layer . Ill just add some back lit grasses to complete this one.
A new colourful hare painting in progress. I do enjoy and love hares, which makes them one of my favourite painting subjects.
UPDATE*This new hare is now finished and available at Creative Fine Art, in Marlborough
A sunny day in the art studio
Painting on a lovely sunny day
My studio and my work is a welcome distraction from the dark events going on in the world today. It is important to be able to get away from the news and focus in order to be able to work, difficult as that can be.
Forest Landscape Art
A new expressive painting featuring one of the many lovely views here in the English National Forest project . This is a scene from last May, with bluebells and sunshine along the way.
Two new Kingfisher paintings which are nearly finished this week
Two new Kingfisher paintings which I am hoping to have finished by the end of the week. I love painting these super colourful, tiny birds!
Learn to paint Alpacas! Workshop date coming up...
im getting ready for my Alpaca art workshop on the 13th March, this is going to be a lot of fun. Spaces available-see my workshops page.
Big Rainbow Highland Cow
This new piece is really full of glossy colour, with quite thickly applied intense colour. This big bovine beauty is sold, however, you can see newly available cow pieces of art on my website ‘Originals’ page here.
A gallery visit!
Managed to catch the gallery in a rare quiet time this Saturday, its looking lovely-and I really appreciated the fire! Then it was off to pay a visit to Humphrey and his friend in the field.
The first snowdrops.
The girls and I went in search of the first snowdrops in the local woods here this morning , and here they are in all their glory. We feel lucky to have these beautiful nature reserves and managed woodlands to explore right on the doorstep.
A new Lion oil painting in progress
Here is a new Lion portrait on the easel, approaching the finish line. This piece is 76 x 76 cm oil on canvas and will be available on my website quite soon.
A lovely day at Sharpes Pottery Museum for the Moon Hare Workshop
An Enjoyable, Stress-Free Painting Day
A lovely day at the Moon Hare painting workshop day. We had 5 beginners in the group, who went from never really having picked up a brush, to producing a beautiful piece of original artwork to take home. It is exhilarating to see all the paintings coming to life throughout the day!
Creative Art Workshops in Swadlincote
Come join us at our upcoming art workshops in Swadlincote and learn to paint with my help and attention. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, all are welcome!
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
Kingfisher Oil Paintings
A new Kingfisher piece in situ
This small piece is newly available on my website. The jewel shades of green and blue lend a touch of relaxation and nature to a study space (above)
This painting is now sold however I love Kingfishers and often paint them, they’re such beautiful little birds. Take a look at my available paintings here
