Plein air painting 123 14 april

Plein air painting 123

On Sunday 14th April 2024 a classic car event was staged at the city wall, Southampton. It was named the 'Lord Mayors classic car display' and was for charitable causes. This view shows an Austin open road tourer from 1929. Behind is a Rolls Royce, ex- royal family.
The painting was done in oils on mounting board, sized at 12 x 9.5". It took longer than expected because of a high number of passers by taking an interest.

Plein air painting 121 

Shown here is the distinctive form of the clock at Bitterne Triangle, on the outskirts of  Southampton. Originally situated in the centre of  Southampton along the high street, the 1899 structure was moved to its current location in 1935. 
The painting was done on a cold, windy Saturday morning (6th April 2024) in dull light with the Urban Sketchers facebook group. I was positioned next to a chip shop with smelly bin. Fortunately the wind did remove the smell from my immediate location.

Plein air painting 120 

Another very cold day following on from the last post with the urban sketchers, this time at Shamrock Quay, Southampton, situated on the banks of the River Itchen. I did not pick a view of any water or boats but examined the architecture on the local business on the quay side with the carpark in front. In the latter stages freezing cold rain came in and I finished off the painting working under a boat on stilts.
Painted 2nd March 2024. Oil on mounting board 12 X 9.5".

Plein air painting 116  

Harbour Lights Picture House, a cinema to be found at Ocean Village, Southampton, was built in 1995. Built by architects Burrell Foley Fischer it has won critical appraisal for the design, including a shortlisted nomination for a RIBA award for architecture, and from the customers who use it. It has two screens of different sizes and shows a mixture of mainstream and arthouse films.
The painting was done on the 9th September on mounting board, sized at 12"x 9.5" in oils.

 

Plein air painting 119

Itchen bridge, Southampton is seen here from a viewpoint at the suburb of Woolston. The modern development known as Centenary Quay replaces Vosper Thornycroft, the world famous ship builders on this site since the early 20th century.

The Itchen Bridge is a toll bridge opened in 1977 and spans the river Itchen.

This painting was done on the 3rd February 2024 with the Southampton Urban Sketchers during a very cold Saturday morning with dismal light.

Head painting exercise - 'The Walking Dead' 04

A selection of further characters from the long running and popular 'The Walking Dead' TV series.
The characters shown are Enid (top left), Jadis (top right), Negan (bottom left), Jesus (bottom right). Each painting is done in oils, mainly in one sitting, on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5". Painted late 2022/ mid 2023. 

Plein air painting 114  

Produced during a meet up of the Southampton Urban Sketchers, this painting shows two historical buildings to be found on the town quay. On the left is Bugle House (grade II listed), a recently restored building that was built as the Royal Southern Yacht Club in 1846, now a hotel. In the Middle is Wool House a 14th century wool warehouse (grade I listed). On the right are the remains of a 15th century house (grade II listed). The (Town Quay) road is a very busy place and even on the Sunday morning this was done the noise of the traffic was quite unpleasant.
Painted on mounting board sized at 12" x 9.5", in oils, on the 3rd September 2023.

Plein air painting 117 

One of the last landscape paintings done during 2023 was this one set in the New Forest, Hampshire. The low moorland is known as Pig Bush. It was a dark, gloomy day with rain threatened. However no pigs were seen. The landscape is mainly populated with heather.

The artwork is done on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5" with oils, the date being 12th Oct.

Plein air painting 113 

Weston Shore (Hampshire) lies on the east bank of Southampton Water. Here the view is looking north upstream, toward the city of Southampton with the tide out. On the right side is 'Vantage Tower' one of the tall buildings at Woolston, and in the centre can be seen 'Moresby Tower', at Ocean Village. Southampton Water is the link to the port of Southampton, and would have seen many famous ships throughout history.

Painted on the 10 August 2023, in oils on mounting board sized at 12" x 9.5".

Male heads from life study

A collection of small oil paintings done from life. Each sitter posed for 30mins. Done during early to mid 2023 on cardboard/ mounting board.
top left 7 x 8" @vidblancotattoo  
top right  7 x 8" @tatoista
bottom left 8 x 9" Fred Vincent
bottom right 7 x 8" @bob_jackson2

Plein air painting 107

Calshot castle is to be found in the village of Calshot, Hampshire. Situated on the coast by Southampton Water where it intersects with the Solent. Built by Henry VIII as fortification to protect Southampton, it was until recently still used by the Navy and RAF. Now it is preserved by English Heritage. Across the water can be seen Warsash/ Hook.
The painting was done in oils on a very windy day. Its is sized at 12" x 9.5, and painted in oils on mounting board. The date was 29th June 2023.

Plein air painting 111 

Oxford Street, in the city of Southampton, Hampshire is home to a number of pubs, bars and restaurants, as well as small exclusive shops. Mainly pedestrianised and populated with buildings from the Victorian era. This painting was done on a paint out day with the Southampton Art Society, one sunny Thursday morning although most of the street is in shade.
Painted in oils on mounting board sized at 12" x 9.5", on the 20th July 2023.

Mad clock with screw loose - digital illustration

A whimsical mechanical creature with a large clock face for a torso is depicted amidst a flurry of flying gears and mechanical parts. Its limbs and appendages are an intricate tangle of metallic elements, giving the impression that it's either constructing itself or falling apart.
The clock itself has lost it's mind, with some loose screws falling to the ground.
Digitally painted during late 2023/ early 2024 in 'Sketchbook pro'.

It can be seen here on this link.

Plein air painting 109

Plein air painting 

Rhinefield house, set in the New Forest, Hampshire, is a grade II listed building, built in 1877, and now used as a hotel. Attached to it is a 16 hectare garden designed by William Romaine-Walker and Augustus Tanner.
The painting shows a wonderful and very large pond, with the house located behind the viewer. In the distance is a wall with a gated entrance. It was painted on the 6th July 2023 during a very hot day on mounting board sized at 12" x 9.5" in oils.

Plein air painting 108

This ex - Southampton bus was displayed at a summer street festival held at Bedford Place, Southampton. The bus is a Guy Arab with Gardner engine and Park Royal body, and dates from the 1950s'. Painted on the 2nd July 2023, the bus looked very well presented during the festival. The painting, which was sold on the spot, is 12" x 9.5" on mounting board, and done in oils.

Eight legged monster hunting the hunters - digital illustration

Two townsfolk decided to find out what has been killing all the livestock over recent weeks. Whatever it was, needed to be hunted down and removed.
A digital illustration created in Autumn 2023.

It can be seen in greater detail on this link.

Plein air painting 110

Facing Southampton Water is this dominant structure, known as the Royal Victoria Hospital Chapel. It was originally the central part of a much larger military hospital, over a 1/4 of mile long and in use for 100 years or so. It was demolished in 1966, bar this section. The area is now known as the Royal Victoria Park, and is very near to the village of Netley (Hampshire).
The painting shown here was done on the 13 July 2023 on a very windy day, coming directly off Southampton Water at full force! Its painted in oils on mounting board, sized at 12" x 9.5".