Merchant Navy locomotive at Bournemouth - oil painting

Steam locomotive at Bournemouth 1960's - oil painting

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".

Plein air painting 148

Plein air painting 148 civic centre Southampton

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.

Plein air painting 146

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.

Plein air painting 147 17th july cemetery wide afternoon

Plein air painting 147 

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.

Head painting exercise - 'Vintage Coronation Street' 03

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.

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

Plein air painting 145 

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.

Plein air painting 144 4th july park isaac watts

Plein air painting 144 

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.