An amazing digital painting offer!
Sharing an amazing offer from Escape Motions, the company that makes the digital painting software I use. You have until the 13th October to get your hands on an amazing tool for only £10
I've just heard about an amazing deal which I wanted to share with you guys!
If you're curious about exploring digital painting, then this is definitely for you.
The software I use [Rebelle 5 Pro] and would highly recommend is now available for £10!!
Escape Motions, the company that created it, are having a 10 year anniversary celebration, with all their products on offer for £10 until the 13th October.
***15.10.22 update: this offer has been extended and is currently still available!!***
This software was a complete game changer for me so would definitely say this is a gold dust of a deal that you should absolutely explore!
Check out the offer here: https://www.escapemotions.com/
Hello from the Studio
Revealing a little glimpse behind the scenes, showing work in progress on my latest portrait and sharing two very inspiring podcasts which have got me rethinking the way I breath and the impact breathing can have on our well being.
Waving a hello from the studio and sharing a glimpse of the progress on my latest portrait.
I am happily at sea in this glorious mane of hair which I am slowly refining the details of and it's all getting a little bit magical!
I shall reveal the full portrait and story soon!
Whilst painting I have also been listening to a couple of excellent podcasts I was recently recommended about nasal breathing. I found them hugely eye opening and in some ways life changing, as I have begun to apply aspects of what I am learning.
I want, in turn, to pass on the recommendation to all of you in the hope that they may also be of benefit and help spread the word about just how powerful our breathing can be on a chemical level and how transformative.
The two podcasts in question are:
#99 how breathing through your nose will change your life with Patrick Mckeown
#124 why changing the way you breath will transform your body and mind with James Nestor
They come from the podcast series 'Feel Better, Live More' hosted by Dr Rangan Chatterjee (GP & Author) which is one to subscribe to in general for the quality insights and conversations you can find there.
My current breathing challenge is jogging with the mouth shut - what's yours?
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend full of good nasal breathing!
A Lively Start to 2022!
Welcoming in the new year with a new and energy bursting painting of a fantastic dancing duo! Discover the story behind this piece and watch a time-lapse of how it was created.
Happy 2022! I thought a dance inspired piece would be a joyful way to greet the new year!
Presenting my painting of the lovely Ben ( @benchaiofficial )& Jovana in the finale pose of an energy bursting dance, choreographed by the fantastic Jeff ( @incognito_dance ) & Valentina ( @valedq )of the Incognito Dance Company.
It is a dance I also participated in and I was curious to see how I could weave in the feeling and magic of it into a painting!
I hope there shall be a great deal more dancing in 2022 and I look forward to sharing some more of these paintings along with some new dancing exploits of my own!
Do you have a memorable dance or performance you would like me to paint? Click the button below for more info.
Wishing everyone a fantastic start to the year!
A Toy and Its Box - A Still life of a Dinky Aston Martin
Today I’m sharing my painting of a Dinky Aston Martin Toy car, unboxed and ready to take flight! Read the full story and watch the evolution of this painting in a short time-lapse.
Revealing my finished painting of an Aston Martin DB3S Dinky toy and it's iconic box (model 110, 1956-59). A happy nod to Boxing day!
This painting was the result of another lovely dialogue with a Dinky car enthusiast and is the first time I’ve painted one of these toys with its original box.
I am a big fan of mustard yellow and this painting definitely tickled that fancy. I've also incorporated a vintage Aston Martin sign which, with its wing-like shape, introduces the idea of flight both in its mechanical sense and allegorical.
As with all these model cars, the patina, colours, shapes and textures completely mesmerised me, but I also wanted to play with levels of representation in this composition. A painting of a toy model, based on a real car, sat on a box which illustrates this model, which in turn is reflected in a hazy blur beneath.
I would love to know what you think of this painting as I am looking to launch it as a fine art print and greeting card in the new year. Do let me know your thoughts!
Introducing Jude, The Sphynx Cat
Introducing my finished portrait of Jude, the conclusion to all my knitting in paint! Read the full story and watch a short time-lapse showing this portrait from loose line sketch to finished painting.
The conclusions of last week’s painted knitting!
Presenting my finished commissioned portrait of the amazing Sphynx cat Jude, dressed in a modified woolly sock and clutching a crocheted Chewbacca.
This was my first encounter with a sphynx cat and painting her was extraordinary . Various references crossed my mind: cat, little wise old lady, ET.
Certainly not conventional, there was something both familiar and other worldly about her, add to which a very expressive, comical sense of character.
I've included a mini time-lapse below of my journey using digital oil brush and paint to build the portrait up from a rough line sketch to the finished painting.
I am now taking commission bookings for 2022, so feel free to get in touch or click the button below to explore my commission service.
My New Christmas Robin
The story behind my new Christmas Robin and why he is such a fitting symbol for this time of year. Watch the story unfold in a short video where all is revealed.
Christmas Robin, digital oil painting
Today I'm talking red robins!
Commonly regarded as a symbol of rebirth and renewal. Spiritually they are seen as guides, teaching us to explore change with joy and 'a song in our hearts', moving forwards with grace, patience and strength.
On an everyday level, whenever I see one, I can't help but smile!
What better little bird to see in the end of a year, and look forward to the start of a new one!
Last year I eye-spied a beautiful little hollow cast toy Robin, produced by Britains, pre world war II, as part of their 'Christmas novelties' series.
The particular wear and tear of this robin gave it a wonderful energy and sense of character which I wanted to try and capture in a painting.
Some of you may remember my first attempt from last year, when I was still getting the feel for digital painting.
Like my earlier Penguin post, I felt I could do better, so I had another go last month and am now pleased to present my new Christmas Robin to you all!
A Magic Mini Merry Christmas
Today I am talking about the inspiration behind my latest Christmas themed painting. Watch my journey unfold in a short video I’ve put together and discover the quirky backstory behind this o so jazzy mini!
It all began with a dialogue I had a couple of months ago with a wonderful group of Dinky toy car enthusiasts on Facebook, which inspired me to create a 'Dinky themed' Christmas painting.
Initial suggestions and searches brought the Dinky 485 "Merry Christmas" Ford T Model to my attention. Whilst undoubtedly Christmassy in theme, for some strange reason I just couldn’t connect with it on an aesthetic level so I went looking for something more quirky!
Cue 'Stripey,' Dinky’s magic mini (model no.107), produced for a short 2 year window between 1967-69, based on the 183 Morris Mini Minor (first produced in 1966). With such a short production run it is now one of the rarest and most expensive Dinky cars to find today.
It also has an eccentric backstory, featuring in a series of rather bazaar comics/ books called Candy & Andy created by Gerry Anderson (of ‘Thunderbirds’ & ‘Captain Scarlett’ fame). Candy & Andy were children (made of plastic) who lived with two panda bears called Mr & Mrs. Bearanda. Their main activity was to drive around in this magic mini, helping people with various things - so all in keeping with a sense of Christmas spirit!
Backstory aside, I’m a big fan of the mini in general, there is something so personable about its shape and size. So finding this jazzy version of it, instantly appealed … it is a car that seems to sing celebrations, and what better occasion than Christmas!
🔔You come and get a closer look at this painting on Saturday at
⚡The famous Sandown Park Toy Fair,13th November, 10.30am-3pm! ⚡
I will be sharing more details about this shortly, so keep an eye out!
Penguin Story
This is my second painted version of this toy penguin, read on to discover why and watch the story unfold!
So this is a little story about when you've painted something once and it keeps calling you back until you paint it again.
And yes, I do have a bit of a perfectionist issue which means if I think I can do something better it will keep niggling me until I give it another go.
My first attempt at this penguin, around 2013, was a quick oil on canvas board sketch, done in the lead up to Christmas. My second attempt was last month, painted in digital oil paints and was generally a slower, more considered exploration of the subject.
Not entirely dissimilar to rereading a favourite book, there are always new things you notice and understand when revisiting a subject. The passage of time and experience inevitably influences the way you see it and interpret it.
It just goes to show that even familiar things are never beyond the journey of rediscovery and new revelations.
Also...
If you are curious to explore this penguin in person, I am happy to report that I will be showcasing him at the famous Sandown Park Toy Fair next Saturday 13th November, 10.30am-3pm so if you're free, put it in the diary!
I will be sharing more info about this next week, so keep your eyes peeled!
For now wishing everyone a super Friday!
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.
This Little Piggy, a Work in Progress
Today is a look behind the scenes at a new work in progress, a personal piece which plays with a variety of reference points. Read on to discover the full story and watch a short timelapse.
As you've probably seen by now, I really enjoy painting a range of different subjects, especially anything that conjures a sense of story.
And whilst I love visualising other people's stories, occasionally one has to look inward and find outlets for certain ideas that need expressing.
This piece is rooted in a personal narrative, it also happens to feature a pig - strangely apt therefore to find these creatures in headline news at the moment and the issue of their problematic abundance.
Whilst coincidental, my little piggy is very much the stuff of fairytale; the notion of a character building something of their own, out of their hopes, dreams and vulnerability, pitched against inevitable challenges.
Visualising these things in this way, helps me anchor a variety of thoughts in one place, without words or judgement - giving the feeling a face which I can hold up and reflect on, somehow helping me makessense of it.
This is still very much a work in progress...my working title for it is 'This Little Piggy'.
It is a real mash up of reference points starring a treasured vintage 1930s clockwork pig from my own little toy collection, mixed up with my graffiti explorations.
Putting it out there, never sure what conversations it may start...always interested to hear your thoughts and reactions, feel free to share in the comments below.
Painting Memories
Today I’m talking about portraits that celebrate a special moment in time; in this particular case a salsa performance. Read on to hear about my latest salsa portrait of the wonderful Ratnanjali.
Today I'm sharing a little portrait I did this week of the lovely Ratnanjali, who has accompanied me on my Incognito ladies salsa journey over the last couple of months.
In performance costume, looking dazzling, my aim was to capture this special moment for Ratnanjali, and create a happy reminder of a joyful experience!
I'm using a painting programme called Rebelle 4, whose digital oil brushes and canvas textures are just such a pleasure to work with. I feel like I'm at an easel rather than a computer when I'm working.
My focus was keeping my brushwork loose and playful, picking up the rainbow of colours I could see in the light and shadow. Hopefully the painting in itself becomes a bit of a dance!
Are there any experiences you would like me to capture in paint, perhaps celebrating a special occasion for you or a loved one?
Click the button below to find out more about my commission service and how it works.
Celebrating World Black Dogs Day
Celebrating World Black Dog day with this portrait I did of a wonderful dog called Guinness. Talking about how black fur is just as rich as any other colour to paint.
“I just wanted to thank Susie for the superb portrait she did of Guinness. It has proved extremely difficult to get photos of him over the years as, being black, he does not come out that well.
In his 17+ years we probably only have a handful of decent pics! It was fascinating watching, online, how she built the picture up and the finished article captures him to a tee, his posture, look and essence. I never realised how specialised digital painting was, taking a treasured photo as reference and creating an artwork that incorporates the very spirit of the subject.
It now has pride of place in our Dining Room and has been greatly admired by all his/our friends who we shared it with. It is the first time we have tried getting a portrait of Guinness and it was so easy I wish we had thought of it before. Once again many thanks, it will be part of the family for decades to come.”
In honour of #worldblackdogday on Friday, I am looking back on the portrait I did of the wonderful Guinness or Guinness Maximilian Cowley to give him his full title.
It was such a joy to see how this portrait was received by his family and interesting to hear about their struggle to get good images of him over the years because of his colour.
When I see any colour I see the myriad of colours that make it up. So black becomes a mesmerizing blend of blues, purples, greys, browns, pinks...I could go on!
It was a pleasure to bring Guinness to life in colour and create for his family an artwork that will be treasured for years to come.
Do you have a black dog that you've always wanted to celebrate? Now could be your chance!
I am running a very special pet portrait giveaway this month, in partnership with the brilliant team @pawpairs in Wandsworth.
Click the button below to find out how to enter
AND...be in with a chance to win a beautifully painted, completely bespoke portrait of your animal!
Also a shout out to Colleen Paige who created world/international black dog day in honour of her beloved black dog and to draw attention to the plight of many abandoned black dogs looking for a home.
Follow @worldblackdogday for more info!
Finally Finished, A New Experiment
Today I am sharing the results of a new experiment The challenge? how to convey the beauty of an awesome Dinky Auto Union racing car in a painting. Read on for the full story.
Auto-Union Racing Car, Digital oil painting
A little while ago I was presented with a happy challenge. In essence what could I creatively do with an excellent example of a Dinky Auto Union racing car?
Initially introduced by Dinky around 1939, these Auto Union models were a particularly stunning example of the manufacturing ability to capture dynamic, evocative lines with the added joy of seeing this little driver cocooned in amongst it, the very vision of intense focus. Interestingly these drivers were later removed in the production line, making this particular model even more special.
So, here we had a stunning racing car, which conveyed something new from every angle. I loved the personality of the driver's face - the beating heart, if you like, of the car itself - so wanted to lead with that, but equally the sense of 'flight' and movement represented in the overall form of the car, as seen from above, was also key.
So I ended up with a fusion of both viewpoints, along with a nod to the Dinky styled typography of the name and model number of this wonderful specimen.
Verdict please! What do you think of this new experiment?
As ever the stunning oil brushes and paints available in the Rebelle 4 program I paint with have allowed me to really explore this toy’s surface patina. The mini time-lapse below hopefully gives you a sense of this.
I am also taking on commissions, so do you have a treasured toy or perhaps real car that you would like celebrated in an artwork? I provide a service that creates paintings entirely bespoke to you, your stories and your home, with flexibility in scale and finish.
For more information click the COMMISSION SERVICE button below....prices start from around £300 for a small framed artwork ready to display. Feel free to get in touch with any questions.
Wishing everyone a super Friday!
Hug Your Hound Day
Celebrating a special Lurcher called Luna on this special Hug your Hound Day. Read on to find out her story.
Luna, digital painting
Today I'm celebrating Luna or 'Loopy' as she is also affectionately known by her family.
Rescued at 6 months of age from death row kennels in 2017, she arrived at her new home with no house training and on hyper alert to everything around her. Overtime and with patience she gradually settled in.
Now a canicross team with owner Jo (a kind of dog/human jogging duo), a wonderful companion to Jo's toddler and a happy playmate with Doug her younger lurcher buddy (who I have also painted).
Given that Luna is always on the move, so much so that she even 'runs in her sleep,' it was a particular fluke that Jo managed to snap a picture of her standing still.
Also wonderful that such a restless, active soul should in turn give rise to several hours worth of my own quiet, contemplation and study in creating this portrait of her.
Today is also #hugyourhoundday, so if you are within reach of a loveable hound you know what to do!
Another Work in Progress - The Dinky Aston Martin
Discover what is on the ‘digital’ easel this week and watch a video showing how I start my paintings.
My work on the Dinky Auto Union is still ongoing, so I thought I would share with you another work in progress today, namely a painting of a very handsome Dinky Aston Martin.
Like the Auto Union, I am painting with a stylus and pressure sensitive Wacom tablet, working in 'digital' oil paint on canvas.
The video below shows the very early stages where I am keeping my brush strokes loose, creating first a rough guide line, then blocking in the main areas of colour and tone.
Once everything is where it should be I will really start diving into the detail of surface patina, which is what I like to think of as a deep meditation on the quality and modelling of these beautiful toys.
I'll post another update soon with my progress! Wishing everyone a great weekend ahead, especially those on the hunt for some Dinky Toy treasure!
In Celebration of the Honey Bee
Find out the full story behind my tribute to the Honey Bee, in celebration of World Honey Bee Day.
Honey Bee Tribute, digital oil on canvas
Did you know a spoonful of sugar (2 tsp of white granulated sugar mixed with 1tsp water to be precise) can offer a bee a brilliant boost!
The 21st August was World Honey Bee Day and here is my painted tribute to it with a little twist to acknowledge the dangers of pesticides, habitat loss and climate change that today's bees face.
It was another Rebelle 4 experiment using oil brushes and drips to build up a rich textural surface. It was also in many respects a deep meditation on the beauty of a honey bee!
Check out the mini time-lapse below to watch the creative process in action!
Aside from teaspoons of sugar, also try planting a native wildflower, like a Primrose, Buddleia or Marigold in your garden / window box. They are nectar rich plants that bees really thrive on!
A Work in Progress
Today I talk about what I’ve been working on this week and give you a behind the scenes look at my progress so far.
Today is a behind the scenes sneak peek of something I'm working on at the moment.
I was set a lovely challenge to have fun with this stunner of a Dinky Toy. You'll get the gist of how I'm approaching it in the video, but I shall wait to reveal the whole thing once it is finished :)
To give you a bit of context, I've been painting in oil on canvas for over 20 years now and am continuing to apply these skills to digital painting, where I am using the brilliant Rebelle 4 software which replicates the texture and feel of oil paint and canvas beautifully.
You'll see my setup at the end of this video, where I'm working free hand with a pressure sensitive Wacom tablet and stylus to 'paint' with. I have my reference images up on the screen next to my 'digital easel' and am constantly looking back and forth between one and the other as I work.
If you have a much treasured diecast car or object you would like to celebrate in paint then do get in touch or check out my commission service page by clicking the button below.
A New Experiment in Tribute to World Lion Day
Read about my continuing exploration of new digital mediums with my latest animal portrait in celebration of World Lion’s Day.
From domestic cats into the wild! Here is a new experiment of mine, undertaken in tribute to World Lion Day
This was another dive into the Rebelle 4 painting software I've been exploring recently.
To date I've been focusing mainly on oils, but for this I wanted to try out their soft pastels instead.
I have kept my approach much looser than normal, in part because I wanted to see if I could say less with more and I was working to the clock! :)
In a way the constraints of a time limit can be a brilliant tool, forcing focus like nothing else can!
See below a mini time-lapse of how I started, working in loose line & blocks of colour, making myself step back from detail more.
I have also included a close up of the eye to give you a sense of how this software really captures the texture and feel of the pastel medium.
Clover, the Loyal Sprocker
Introducing my latest portrait of a sprocker called Clover. Read all about her story and watch a small time-lapse of this portrait in progress.
Clover, Digital oil painting
Happy to share my new portrait of a kind and loyal sprocker called Clover.
She’s accompanied her owner Rachael through every kind of adventure, be it moves, job pivots and most recently a pandemic pregnancy, where she remained tucked up by Rachael’s side, ever supportive, patient and reassuring.
Hard to really sum something like this up in words. At the heart of it, I suppose, is a quality of love that is beautifully pure, innocent and freely given.
Have you got a loyal dog in your life? What’s one memorable act of support they have given you over the years? I find these stories so insightful, so please do share in the comments below.
Rachael describes Clover as the ‘dog of a lifetime’ and ‘her soulmate’ a fitting tribute to a wonderful animal.
In the time-lapse below you can watch a summary of how this portrait progressed, starting loose and gradually refining into detail.
Sir Mo Farah, Portrait of an Olympic Champion
A painted tribute to a British Olympic Legend, Sir Mo Farah. Hear the story behind this painting and the exciting collaboration it is part of!
Sir Mo Farah, Digital Painting
The Olympic Games in Tokyo are now in full swing.
Whilst the amazing Sir Mo Farah will not be there to defend his gold medals, his spirit and legendary performances are very present in our minds.
I painted this digital oil painting in tribute to him, marking the moment he celebrated after winning the men's 5000m final at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on 20th Aug 2016, days before he also won the men’s 10,000m. It weaves in a little nod to his 2012 Olympic triumph in the 5000m & 10,000m, along with reference to his Somalian roots.
This painting was my contribution to an exciting collaboration with a group of talented artists where we’d been invited, by the platform TodoNFTs, to portray important moments and people in Olympic history and create a special NFT collection. This also marks my very first experience of minting an NFT!
This collection can now be viewed online, click the button below to have a look
But I suspect I might have lost you at NFTs? :)
I too, am still in the process of getting my head around how this all works, so you are not alone! I have found a very helpful article, written from an artist’s perspective, which I think will help explain it for you better than I could. Click the button below to have a look and let me know what you think!
Do check out the videos below which give you a promotional sneak preview of this NFT Olympic inspired collection along with a time-lapse of my painting in progress.
As you might already have observed, I am continuing to use the amazing Rebelle 4 painting software, working with their digital oil brushes and canvas. The textures are just phenomenal and really simulate the real deal!