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


Saturday, 11 July 2026

Plein air painting 147 17th july cemetery wide afternoon

Plein air painting 147 

old graves Southampton old cemetery art

Southampton 'Old' cemetery provides many interesting views to other local artists and photographers. The large area features a Victorian cemetery, rarely used for burials now. Nature is constantly attempting to take over the site and bury the wonky headstones in long grass and ivy. This view shows such a scene as see from one of the main routes through the area.
This 'wide' plein air painting is sized at 14 x 7.5", done on mounting board and painted in oils. Created during the afternoon of 17th July 2024 while standing in the shade on this hot day.
Below is a photo showing the pochade box set up on the tripod with the painting almost finished.
artist Pochade Box set up in cemetery Davey


Monday, 29 June 2026

Head painting exercise - 'Vintage Coronation Street' 03

Head painting exercise - 'Vintage Coronation Street' 03

coronation street oil paintings Davey
A further set of famous characters from a very early 1970's Coronation Street, a soap opera first started in 1960 and still running on ITV. The video source was from 2" video as found on You Tube which account for the softness. All the paintings are done in oils on cardboard, sized at 9.5" x 12", and done at various points during early to late summer 2023. 
Upper left - Bet Lynch, upper right - Hilda Ogden , bottom left - Minnie Caldwell , bottom right - Ken Barlow.
Bet Lynch portrait Davey

Hilda Ogden oil portrait Davey

coronation street minnie caldwell art

Ken barlow oil painting


Wednesday, 10 June 2026

Plein air painting 145 11th july bbc from outside sea city museum

Plein air painting 145 

TV studios Southampton oil painting Martin Davey

The building taking centre stage is owned by the BBC, and houses both the Radio Solent service and BBC South, the television service for the south of England. Opened in 1991, it replaces facilities held at South Western House, near to the docks. The road its situated on is Havelock Road very near to the central station and Civic center. Two TV studios are contained in the complex, one able to hold a small audience.
The painting was done from a position outside the Sea City museum (part of the civic centre) during a hot morning on the 11th July 2024. Road works are taking place on the closed road outside the studios. The scooter rack is a recent addition.
Painted on mounting board sized at 12 x 9.5", in oils. 
Below a photograph of the pochade box set up with the finished painting during that morning.
painting equipment outside BBC M P Davey


Friday, 22 May 2026

Plein air painting 144 4th july park isaac watts

Plein air painting 144 

Issac Watts statue Southampton art Davey

Dominating the scene is the statue of Isaac Watts as installed at Watts park in central Southampton. He was an English Congregational minister, hymn writer, theologian, and logician, born in the town in 1674. Painted during the morning of the 4th July 2024 on mounting board sized at 12 x 9.5", in oils, with a number of people dropping by to see what I was doing, including someone who had seen me in the past, but in a different location.

Friday, 8 May 2026

Plein air painting 143 27th june long ocean village dull day.

Plein air painting 143

Harbour Hotel ocean village painting Davey

This 'wide' plein air painting shows Ocean Village, Southampton set in the county of Hampshire. The site had been a commercial dock for a number of centuries but now is home to luxury flats and the berthing of luxury yachts. The weather was very changeable during the time spent on this on this summers morning. In the middle of the image can be seen the Harbour Hotel, quite a recent addition to the landscape, and styled to look like a cruise ship.
Painted using oil paint on a piece of mounting board sized at 14 x 7.5". 27/06/2024.
Below is a photograph of my set up on the day.
M P Davey southampton artist ocean village



Tuesday, 28 April 2026

Plein air painting 142 27th june park wisteria pergola

Plein air painting 142 

East park pergola Southampton painting Davey

East (Andrews) park in central Southampton as painted on 27th June 2024 during an early start one morning. Wisteria can be seen on the right hand side hanging from the pergola along Floral Walk. In the distance buildings along Brunswick Place are visible. 
The landscape painting is done on mounting board sized at 12 x 9.5", using oil paint. One of the council gardeners was often checking progress as the painting was worked on during the course of a few hours.
Below is a shot of the easel (pochade box) in place.
M P Davey artist easel on location southampton