Tuesday, 13 October 2026

Plein air painting 152 28th july sun morning riverside

Plein air painting 152 

houses river Itchen Southampton M P Davey

Painted from a position slightly further along than one done a few days before (149) this view shows a number of houses backing on to the River Itchen in Southampton, at Riverside park. The house would sighted on Priory road.  A collection of small boats are to be seen on the mud bank, some derelict.
The plein air painting was done on the morning of the 28th July on a sunny morning. It is done on mounting board sized at 12 x 9.5 in oils.
Below is a still of the easel set up for the morning.
davey artist easel river itchen


Friday, 2 October 2026

Plein air painting 151 24th july wed common

Plein air painting 151 People sitting on Southampton Common Davey

A tranquil view of  Southampton common, Hampshire. The two figures were seated there when the painting was started but soon moved. Generally the weather variable/ dull on this summer's day making the shadows change intensity and location. 24th July 2024.
Painted in oils on mounting board sized at 14 x 7.5".
Below is the photo showing the tree sitting on the common, with the artist easel set up and work finished on the painting.

easel set up on Southampton common M P Davey


Friday, 18 September 2026

Plein air painting 150

Plein air painting 150 Hampshire Ashlett creek harbour art

Members of the Southampton Arts society met up on a Sunday morning to paint together at a local location. This was Ashlett Creek in Ashlett, very near to the town of Fawley, Hampshire, and a little distance from Southampton. The creek is on the banks of Southampton water and is famous for the distinctive architecture of the Tidal Mill. My painting features the scene just next to the mill, and shows a great deal of small boats and larger shipping, with Warsash on the opposite side. The day was quite dull weather wise, despite it being a summers day and the tide was quickly coming in as the painting progressed, changing its look.
Painted on mounting board sized at 12 x 9.5", using oil paint. The day was Sunday 21st July 2024.

Thursday, 3 September 2026

Plein air painting 149 riverside park

Plein air painting 149 

flats riverside park Southampton Davey

Riverside flats on the banks of the River Itchen are shown at this location, very close to Cobden bridge which can be seen on the far left. Some old boats/ House boats are shown moored along the bank one of which has partly sunk. The morning was very hot and sunny. 
Painted on the 19th July 2024 on mounting board sized at 12 x 9.5", using oil paint, with a number passers by having a look, as usual.
Below is a photo showing the easel set up at the location at Riverside park, Southampton.
artist easel at riverside park


Monday, 17 August 2026

Merchant Navy locomotive at Bournemouth - oil painting

Steam locomotive at Bournemouth 1960's - oil painting

steam locomotive navy Bournemouth art

A steam locomotive is pictured on the western entrance to Bournemouth central station, as portrayed at some time in the mid 1960's. It is a Merchant Navy class of engine, designed by Oliver Bulleid during the 1940s. Originally built with streamline casing this is a rebuilt example. The painting shows the typical dirty and neglected state of locomotives at this time as replacement with electrification progresses, as evident by the powered 3rd rail on the trackwork.
The painting is based on a blurry B/W photograph, so considerable time was taken to research the type of locomotive and the location itself to create a suitable painting, in colour.
Painted during the summer months in 2023, in oils on mounting board sized at 33 x 23".


Monday, 10 August 2026

Plein air painting 148

Plein air painting 148 

Southampton clock tower art Davey

On a hot afternoon I painted this view of the clock tower, part of the Civic centre, Southampton, which is a grade II listed structure. The tower is 157ft high. The easel is set up in West (Watts) Park with Commercial road running through the scene. To the (off) right is Cumberland place which was closed to traffic, but very noisy anyway due to ongoing roadworks.
Painted in oils on mounting board, sized at 9.5 x 12" on the 18th July, 2024.
Below shows the painting easel set up with a part of the bicycle used to transport the equipment around the city.
painting the civic center clock tower Davey



Saturday, 1 August 2026

Plein air painting 146

Plein air painting 146

vintage southampton bus rally 2024 Davey art

At Victoria Park, on the suburbs of Southampton, a vintage bus and coach rally was held on a very overcast day. I estimate there were probably 45 or so public transport vehicles, plus a number of vintage cars. The single decker bus situated in the center of the painting is an ex- London Transport.
This event was all held in the imposing shadow of the Royal Netley Hospital Chapel, very close, on the banks of Southampton Water. The rain on this summers day did manage to hold off for most of the time painting this scene, apart from one brief but hard shower.
Painted on Sunday 14th July 2024. It is painted on mounting board sized at 9.5 x 12", in oils.
Below is a photo showing the easel set and work progressing.
artist easel set up at bus rally Southampton