Bradness Gallery Reviews 

I have one of Michael's paintings and one of Emma's lampshades and I love them both. Their home and their gallery provide the most enchanting setting for their courses and the welcome is inevitably warm and generous. Emma is the most amazing cook so food takes a high priority!

I have one of Mike's pictures on my wall - The Downs Above Poynings - which I absolutely love. I can feel the sun on my face and the breeze in my hair as I look at it. The lighting is simply wonderful.
I have also attended one of Emma's painting courses, more to do something for me than any great hopes of becoming an artist! The atmosphere was relaxed and informative and the food was to die for! A wonderful experience.

I have both one of Michael’s and one of Emma’s paintings in my house and I love them both for different reasons. I have visited the gallery a few times and sampled the cakes at the same time and would highly recommend you do the same. My mum went for a Painting lesson with Michael for her 90th birthday and they looked after her so well. She is sadly no longer with us but she adored them both. They are such a welcoming couple. Well worth a visit

We visited alone and, because we were so impressed, we returned again with friends - as we wanted to share with them such an enjoyable experience!
A wonderful, friendly welcome to this beautiful gallery, with such lovely paintings, surrounded by a real country garden.
A must for further visits!

I attended a fabric design course with Emma. What a wonderful escape from everyday life, first we looked at colour combinations then we started creating, we painted and designed and then we scanned our designs into the computer and sent them off to be printed on top quality fabric. Every day we had fabulous food, we were a small group so lots of personal attention. After the fabric was printed we came back together to sew and make those designs into useful and beautiful objects. I also bought one of Emmas hand painted lamp shades which I look at and enjoy every night when it is lit.

Myself and my family always enjoy a visit to The Bradness Gallery, Emma and Mike are always so warm and welcoming, always have lovely tea and cake, wonderful gardens in a wonderful setting!
I can’t get enough of Emma’s Gorgeous lampshades, you can definitely never have too many!
I can truly say you won’t be disappointed with a visit to Bradness! A very worthwhile treat.
The Frith family

What three words would describe Bradness Gallery? Joyful, inspirational and FUN would be mine!

Joyful, in that the whole day spent at Bradness is a treat for the senses - the wonderful surroundings, the great company and the delicious food all play their part.

Inspirational, as the courses are richly filled with information, creative thinking and great techniques.

FUN - because you can't visit Bradness without enjoying a good laugh with its fantastic hosts, Emma and Mike.

The Perfect 3 Days!
I was given a 3 day course, to attend a workshop with Michael, from a group of friends for a 60th birthday present. Together with 5 others I was able to go out into the countryside (we had lovely weather) with Michael and paint various scenes. Michael is a superb teacher and I gained so much from the way he explained such things as, composition, light and shadow, the correct proportion of medium to paint etc. The group was excellent fun and at midday Emma would appear with a delicious feast for us. It was a really brilliant 3 days and I wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone wanting to brush up on the painting skills!

We have known Michael Cruickshank for many years.We and our Daughters have many of Michael’s paintings in our homes.

My Company commissioned a Christmas Card from the Gallery the original is in Head Office.

The gallery is in a wonderful location and Michael and Emma are wonderful hosts.

Only age and distance prevent us from making more frequent visits to Bradness Gallery.

I have attended Emma's Colour mixing class and Abstract. Wonderful tuition and individual feedback suitable for beginners and the more experienced. Also Mike's introduction to Landscape was hugely enjoyable. Their friendly yet professional teaching style is then complimented with being in their gorgeous flower garden and scrumptious luncheon. I wholeheartedly recommend attending Bradness

I loved the courses I attended at Bradness Gallery in the most beautiful setting (a true artists' garden). Mike and Emma are wonderful teachers and generous, relaxed hosts. I cannot recommend their courses highly enough; the pace and level of instruction is adjusted to suit each individual which makes for a happy atmosphere. The lunches were amazing too!

I came for a flower painting course and had the most wonderful three days - we had marvellous lunches too - and Emma was a brilliant friendly and happy teacher
The garden and the gallery are also a delight and I have great memories
Angie Thorpe

Have been loads of times…..always come away fatter….Emma far too good a cook!…..Her patience in imparting her knowledge of art and painting skills have just the right balance of firmness and fun! Always such an enjoyable experience! Mike the perfect host and such a talent!
If you haven’t been I would recommend anyone to try any of the courses…..it really doesn’t matter what level you are…..you’ll learn a lot, have fun, eat well and all in a gorgeous setting!

Having been a musician and songwriter for most of my life, suddenly and surprisingly I discovered the urge to paint, although had never taken part in any formal training. It was just something I really wanted to do - and of course, try to do well. Having initially been recommended by a Lewes friend, as soon as I arrived at Emma and Michael's Bradness Gallery, near Barcombe, I knew I had come to the right place! The creative atmosphere and location alone seemed absolutely perfect, but I also found Emma and Michael's expert advice and knowledge in their individual areas of expertise, combined with their sense of fun and enthusiasm, incredibly contagious and inspiring. I have now taken several courses there over the last couple of years and am more than happy to wholeheartedly recommend the 'Bradness' experience to anyone - at any level - who might be interested in developing their skills and knowledge of art, painting and use of colour.

Emma and Mike are always so welcoming. I've been to many of Emma's courses over the years and am planning to attend a course taught by Mike as soon as I can. They are both such warm and encouraging people, and I have many mementoes of them in my home.

Small, friendly, informal and inspirational courses. Emma gently leads you through basic skills and encourages you to find your own style. She assumes no prior knowledge or experience and makes the course great fun.
Delicious homemade ‘elevenses’ and lunch add to the enjoyment of the day.

Bradness Gallery is a wonderful gallery to visit. Emma and Mike are so warm and welcoming. It is a beautiful house with beautiful gardens and of course fabulous art work. Definitely a place to spend a very happy afternoon. A little gem in the Sussex countryside. Highly recommend a visit.

We found this wonderful treasure some years ago when walking locally.
Who can resist a sign that says "You are welcome to come in and browse around our gallery, and have home-made cakes and tea in our garden" (or some such wording!)
Emma and Michael are simply the nicest hosts anyone could imagine, and the garden they have created over the years is quite magical.
Then there are the wonderful courses - both of these artists are also inspirational teachers, and there is a lot of laughter mixed in with the erudition.
Alfresco lunches, coffees and teas on these two day courses are included, and quite simply superb.
Bradness Gallery cannot be bettered for providing an unimpeachable quality of hospitality and learning opportunities, married to the very best one to one personal attention.
You will come away refreshed, calm and energised.

This gallery is a gem. Not only do they provide some of the tastiest teas in Sussex both Emma and Michael are highly accomplished artists who share their skills via art courses. My wife Catherine attended a course by Michael and found that
his instruction was friendly , clear and expert. Everything about Bradness Gallery resonates of skill and love for art, cakes and their fellow humans.

Michael and Emma are very friendly and have a wonderful studio and garden in the countryside. We like the paintings and have two so far, and would thoroughly recommend a visit to this gallery. Janet & David