In 1989, in a conversation at the Chelsea Arts Club, with Peter Peterson RBA, Sandra Pepys (then chair of the Society of Landscape Painters), Dennis Gilbert NEAC, Cinzia Bonada RBA and others it was mentioned that many of them often painted small scale works and that it would be good idea if there were a forum for exhibiting such works. The potential membership was discussed and a shortlist of names agreed on and the Small Paintings Society - subsequently renamed the Small Paintings Group - was founded. More...
Membership consists of a maximum of 35 artists, many of whom also belong to other exhibiting societies - NEAC, RWS, RBA and others - and of course paint on a much larger scale as well. The paintings exhibited with the SPG are limited to 12" by 12" or 144 square inches in area and may be in any medium.
It is with sadness that we must report the death of retired member, Charles Hardaker.
Charles studied at Birmingham College of Arts & Crafts, served in the Royal Artillery for National Service then studied for three years at the Royal College of Art in London (Queen's Scholar) ARCA 1958.
He became a member of the New English Art Club in 1969 and of the Royal Society of British Artists in 1984. Painting mostly still lives, interiors and portraits, he also undertook philosophical / scriptural commissions.
His work is in the permanent collections of the Tate Gallery, the Guildhall of London, the then GLC, the National Library of Wales, the Institute of Civil Engineers and numerous private collections in the UK and overseas, including the USA, Canada, Japan and Greece.
The Small Paintings Group © 2025