Introducing Xavier!
Introducing my son Xavier, 3 months old today and full of bounce! Watch a little timelapse of my first 'early days' sketch of him.
It is with great pleasure that I introduce our son, Xavier, now 3 months of age and full of bounce!
Not surprising, given that it was a big pink bounce ball that got me through labour and travelled in the back of @victorianathanson's car on route to the hospital, with me on all fours, draped over it, huffing and puffing away!
Huge thanks to the team @stgeorgeshospitalcharity and @homebirth_stgeorges who looked after us so well! with special thanks to Gloria and Marta and their Rainbow Team!
This is very much a quick little 'early days' sketch, a flash in the grand scheme of things, but a nod to the ever evolving expressions each day and week brings. I am dazed and enamoured, full of wonder at this little Mr, so small yet so all encompassing.❤️
A Halloween Spiderman
Showcasing the fist painting from a new collection I’m working on all themed around Kids in Costume. Read on for the full story and to find out how you could collaborate with me on it!
SPIDERMAN, A DIGITAL OIL PAINTING
Happy Halloween!
This painting is the first example of new collection I am working on, themed around kids in costume!
This digital oil painting was inspired by a wonderful photograph taken by @davi_swordmanblue of his son. It is one of those spontaneous moments caught on camera and as such is full of life and playful energy.
Add to which it reminded me of my bro @ajsyogi who always loved dressing up as Spiderman when we were kids.
So what do you think? Would you like to see more paintings like this? Let me know what you think in the comments below. The idea is to build a collection which I will turn into fine art prints and greeting cards .
Even better do you have any pictures of your child in costume that you think would work well for this collection? If so I very much welcome your collaboration!
To get involved:
Email your pictures to me at info@susannahnathanson.co.uk along with the story behind them if there is one!
Bonus: you get a free complimentary greeting card if your image is chosen for the collection!
Image guidelines of what I'm looking for:
🎃Ideally include the full figure of your child within the image
🎃A natural, charismatic and fun pose - spontaneous without being blurred
🎃An image photographed in good light (ideally an even natural light – no flash)
🎃Good resolution images – no smaller than 1MB (1000KB) i.e. image needs to be crisp and clear when you zoom in, not pixelated
Feel free to spread the word amongst any friends who you think might like to get involved.
Hughie the Explorer
Today I am continuing my theme of first steps with this digital painting of the wonderful Hughie. Read all about the story behind this painting and watch a video of it coming to life.
The second painting in my ‘first steps’ series has been a beautiful deep dive into the story of a little boy called Hughie.
During a lovely dialogue with his mummy and daddy, where we talked about all the things that were special to Hughie and them, a fantastic range of visual references emerged.
I have incorporated these into this painting, creating a portrait that hopefully works on several layers; capturing a physical likeness whilst also paying tribute to and celebrating those symbolic elements, unique to Hughie and his family.
The stars are a double reference, first to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, sung before Hughie’s bedtime and second, to a much loved piece of artwork that hangs in his home.
The rose is an emblem of the Hospital in which he was born. His favourite toy, Freddy Firefly accompanies him. He wears a cardigan much treasured by his family, which was worn by his daddy as a baby.
The decision to show him in his bouncer became a wonderful nod to various characteristics and with everything combined Hughie has become an explorer flying high into the night sky with Freddy his trusty sidekick.
It is perhaps one of the most detailed digital paintings I have embarked on so far and, combined, has totalled over 20 hours of painting, but what an extraordinary journey it has been. I have put together an abbreviated timelapse of it below, so do take a look.
The Art of Smiling
Today I am exploring a new theme called First Steps Friday, introducing portraits of little ones and their stories. Read on to hear about Artie, whose smiles are very special.
Today I am exploring a new theme I’m calling First steps Friday, creating portraits of little ones.
Most fitting that I should start with Artie’s portrait, my cousin Hannah’s beautiful boy who recently made his entrance into the world. This portrait shows him at 8 weeks old, discovering his first smiles. Hannah explained the power of this moment:
These first smiles were some of his widest! And felt so joyous. They also come at just the right time - when you’re feeling so tired and questioning what you’re doing all the time...the smiles show that you are in fact doing something right!
I kept my approach quite loose on this, it was an action shot after all. And I can hand on heart say it certainly does the spirit good to spend a few hours meditating on a smile, especially one so vibrant and fresh as Artie’s!
Watch the timelapse below to see how this painting evolved. Funnily enough the first track title that accompanies this video is called ‘Mr Sunny Face’ which I think characterises Artie perfectly!
Wishing everyone a very bright, sunny and of course smiley rest of day!