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.
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!
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!
Sandown Toy Fair 2021
Come find me at Sandown Park Toy Fair this Saturday where I’ll be showcasing a mix of paintings, prints and cards. Read on for all the details.
I am very happy to announce an opportunity for a face to face hello at the famous Sandown Park Toy Fair this Saturday.
I have been going to this fair on toy hunts for many years, finding inspirational subjects which I have made many a painting from.
It is therefore with great joy that I take my place amongst the seller’s stands to present a mix of my paintings, prints and cards.
There will also be a special surprise offer for those who came and say hello!
Full Details
WHEN & WHERE :
Saturday 18th September, 10.30am - 3pm
Sandown Exhibition Centre, Sandown Park Racecourse, Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9AJ
TRAVEL
BY CAR: Only 5 miles from junction 10 of the M25 Motorway. Follow the brown direction signs to Sandown Park. From central London take the A3 to Esher. There is free parking for 6,000 cars on site.
If using a Sat Nav you need to enter the address as Portsmouth Road, Esher, as the postcode will direct you to the wrong entrance
BY TRAIN: Nearby Esher Railway Station is only 20-30 minutes from London Waterloo, Victoria and Clapham Junction Stations.
ADMISSION PRICES:
Adults | £6.50
Senior Citizens | £6
Children | £2 (under 5s free)
Early Entry from 8am | £12
There are on-site ATM's, excellent refreshments and lots of free parking.
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!
International Dog Day
Today I am looking back on all the wonderful dogs I have had the honour of painting this year. Read on to find out what I discovered.
Swift on the heels of International Cat Day, today it is our Canine friend's turn!
International Dog Day was created in 2004 by Colleen Paige an animal welfare Advocate and Pet Lifestyle Expert.
Why 26th August? This was the day in Colleen's life, aged 10, when their family adopted her first dog. And a big part of today's purpose is to raise awareness about the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year. It is also a celebration of all dogs both mixed and pure in race.
I have been on a portrait painting rollercoaster since last January which has introduced me to some wonderful dogs, many of them mixed breed and rescue cases.
Today I am looking back over my journey so far. Whilst each dog was particular in their personality and character, all were unanimously irreplaceable and special members of their families.
Each played a powerful part in the family dynamic, whether that was entertaining, keeping in check, caring, supporting, reassuring, energy giving, protecting - they were all ultimate loving companion / best bud / accomplice!
I am constantly moved and inspired by the stories of these animals and the daily impact they make on their owners' lives. I like to think of each portrait I do as a visual celebration of this powerful bond.
If you would like to find out how I can help you celebrate the dog in your life do check out my commission service by clicking the button below.
Wishing dogs and dog lovers alike a cheerful and treat-full day!
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!
An Admin update - Introducing my New Business Card!
Check out my new Business card range; a long overdue update, finally accomplished!
Today I'm sharing a little admin 'hurrah moment' 😊
I finally got round to designing and expanding my business card range to include some of the recent animal portraits I've been doing.
This was the result, beautifully printed and boxed by Moo.com who always provide a top notch service!
Take a look at the full line up of designs the video below.
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.
Celebrating World Elephant Day
A little dive into the world of Elephants in celebration of World Elephant Day (19th August). Using my painted allegory ‘A Little Help’ to ask a few questions. Read on to discover what I found out.
Another animal day of celebration paying tribute to the Elephant, this time with one of my toy paintings called 'A little Help' (oil on canvas 60 x 60 cm).
The painting itself was an allegorical play on ideas like 'the elephant in the room' and 'whistle-blowing' and I think it fitting to offer it up today as a way of asking the question:
How are elephants getting on in our world?
This is what I've discovered so far
🐘Elephant facts
They are the world's largest land animal, have a super thick skin (2.5cm in most places), a voracious appetite, an extraordinarily agile trunk, and are very keen walkers, so much so that they are up and walking within 20 minutes of being born.
🐘Problems
They are also under massive threat with an estimated 415,000 wild elephants left in the world (around 90% less in number than a century ago).
These dangers include poaching to supply ivory trade demand, loss of habitat and an increasing strain on human-elephant relations with migratory routes now shared with agricultural developments, human settlements and infrastructural constructions.
🐘Solutions
Building awareness, changing perceptions and reducing commercial demand for ivory, helping local rangers enforce measures to protect existing elephant populations and promoting local education whilst exploring the application of new technologies to improve human-elephant interactions.
Highly recommend checking out
WWF website for more info🤓
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!
Another Digital Painting Case Study
Today I’m showing you the digital painting commission process in a special case study. Watch a video showing you the step by step and hear all about the ideas that inspired my approach to this painting of Jeff & Corina
Today I wanted to share another digital commission case study - see video below - walking you through how my painting of the wonderful Jeff and Corina came together and what ideas inspired my approach.
It was a real privilege to paint this portrait of two people I admire both as amazing dancers and gifted teachers who help others experience and enjoy the power and beauty of dancing for themselves. It is also very exciting to see their classes starting up again, check out @incognito_dance for more info.
The challenge of capturing the mood of a moment, especially one as animated and dynamic as dance, is one I very much welcome.
Have you got a special occasion or experience, perhaps sporting or performance related, that you might like to celebrate in a commissioned artwork?
To find out more about my commission service head click the button below