Inspiration for Charles’ work is found in his immediate surroundings. The visible world is always the starting point with ‘feed-in’ from great writings and philosophical ideas. He aims to show something of the wonder and mystery of the so-called ordinary world – “the ordinary is extraordinary”

His method of working is almost entirely oils on canvas or canvas or canvas board with traditional brushes and paints. Charles works on several paintings at a time and from ‘life’ at all times unless there are extenuating circumstances. He finds photographs, computer images etc. largely useless, indeed deleterious, being lifeless, static and lacking the immediacy of the present moment. More recently he has been fascinated by the effect of light, shade and colour in a series of international architectural paintings of his beloved art studio.

Charles Hardaker is an artist of international standing. He trained in the West Midlands at Birmingham College of Arts and Crafts and at the Royal College of Art. He has been a member of the New English Art Club (NEAC) since 1969 and is also a member of the Royal Society of British Arts (RBA).

His contemporary paintings are in many important collections including: the permanent collections of the Tate Art Gallery; the Guildhall of London; the National Library of Wales; and numerous private British and overseas art collections.