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.
An inspiring visit to the Tate Britain
A day spent in the inspiring company of Paula Rego’s work at the Tate Britain. Watch a video showing a mini walk through this interesting encounter and read my thoughts about her work and its impact on me.
Do you know the work of Paula Rego?
She is an artist who takes you on a deep dive into the imagination, creating intense narratives drawn from ideas both personal and political, a dance of figures, props, toys, animals and plants; all inventively woven together in paintings and drawings that both invite and confront you.
Ever since I first saw her work when I was around 15/16 years old I have been moved and inspired by it. She speaks a visual language I feel instinctively in tune with. It was therefore a complete delight to visit the Tate Britain's major retrospective of her work this week.
Each painting felt like a conversation that opened my eyes and my mind a little more each time. They unlocked a door to space in my imagination that I had, for want of time, neglected for far too long, a space where ambitious narratives of my own are waiting to be painted.
Huge thank you Paula Rego for doing what you do so well and helping me re-engage with my own stories, giving them room to breathe and hopefully grow!
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!