Plein air painting 98a

Painted during 15th May 2023 at Warsash, on the outskirts of Southampton, Hampshire. The River Hamble is on the left side with Hamble village, and the marina, in the far background. In the center of the painting is the Harbour Masters Office, a distinctive round building painted in black and white.
The plein air landscape art was done in oils on mounting board, sized at 12" x 9.5".

Old dead tree - oil painting

Painted during Autumn 2023, the subject is an old dead tree, resting on the ground and gently rotting away. It was to have been seen in the New Forest, Hampshire during the summer of that year, where a reference photograph was taken of the subject, leading on to the creation of the studio painting later on.

The painting measures 20 x 16", and is painted in oils on primed mounting board.

It can be seen in greater detail on this link.

Plein air painting 105

Viewed along the River Hamble (Hampshire) is this walkway that runs between Warsash and Swanwick. The area is prone to flooding every time the tide is in, so the walkway is of a certain height to combat this. The river is on the left side of the painting while the right side is used for drainage. In the background can be seen Hamble marina. Painted in oils on mounting board, sized at 12" x 9.5". Done on a hot and windy 15th June 2023.

Plein air painting 98b

Following on from the previous painting, done during 15th May 2023 was this quick painting done a few mins walk from the last location. Here the mouth of the River Hamble can be seen as it intersects with Southampton Water, across which can be seen Fawley oil refinery. Two tanker ships with red hulls are docked alongside the complex.
Painted in oils on mounting board sized at 12" x 9.5".

Plein air painting 102

On June 3 2023 the Southampton Urban Sketchers met up, with the subject being Bitterne Triangle, on the outskirts of central Southampton, Hampshire. However it was difficult to find a good location there, (a road junction) and one with good light that instead I just went for a view of the local 'Riverside' park, a few seconds away. The Itchen river is shown in an upstream view with Portswood in the background. It was a hot day and this plein air was completed during the morning. It is sized at 12" x 9.5" and done on mounting board. 

Plein air painting 100

The New Forest, Hampshire is a large national park in Southern England, and is over 500 years old. It consists of moorland and forests. Blackwater Arboretum has some of the tallest trees to be found in the UK consisting of giant redwood examples. This painting, done on the 23rd May 2023, shows a path through the locality.
Painted in oils on mounting board sized at 12" x 9.5".

Head painting exercise - 
'Vintage Coronation Street' 02

A further set of famous characters from the 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 - Stan Ogden, upper right Betty Turpin, bottom left - Rita Fairclough, bottom right - Ena Sharples.

Light the South - 'Solent Ships'
2024

During 2024 I was involved in the 'Light the South' trail, held in Southampton and Cowes, UK. It consisted of a large number of plaster 'lighthouse' casts which were sponsored by local companies to allow local artists to design and paint their design on the them. The lighthouses would be displsyed for the summer season on the streets of the city, followed by an auction in the autumn. The object of the project was to raise money via the Southampton Hospitals Charity, for the Southampton Children’s Hospital.
40 full scale sculptors were shown on the streets of both locations with 40 mini versions, mainly produced by schools, and shown indoors at public buildings.
My sculpture is called 'Solent Ships' and shows various types of craft to be seen either now or in the past, including some aeroplanes. To add some interest the bottom half showed the underwater world. Here could be seen a submarine, a sunken galleon and a giant squid!

Plein air painting 99

This unusual structure was found at Marchwood, Hampshire, and is thought to be connected to a nearby sailing club. It has a viewing platform and a mast. Marchwood itself is a small town on the River Test, facing across the river from the port of Southampton, and many interesting views were seen of large container ships in dock.
This marine architecture landscape view was done on the 17th May 2023 on mounting board sized at 12" x 9.5", in oils.

 still life painting 16

A very well known type of vacuum cleaner, a 'Henry' was used as the model for this alla prima still life, painted in January 2023. Its done in oils on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5".

Plein air painting 96

Painted in the New Forest, Hampshire near to the city of Southampton. The area is Fritham, with this abode being situated near to the Royal Oak Pub. Lyndhurst is the nearest town.
It was painted on mounting board sized at 12" x 9.5 in oils, during 3rd May 2023.

Plein air painting 92

Completed during mid November 2022, a view containing a muddy path running through part of Southampton's 'Old' cemetery is pictured here. Originally the painting had been started a few weeks previously, but rain forced me to stop at the time. I timed my return visit to complete it so that the weather/ light would be similar, including a wet ground. Fortunately it didn't rain the second time. It was interesting to note just over those few weeks how the foliage on the trees had changed or disappeared.
This oil painted scene was done on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5.

Plein air painting 97

The old ruins of Netley Abbey have caught the attention of artists over the centuries. It is a late medieval monastery, near the town of Netley, Hampshire. Situated very close to Southampton Water the ruins are a protected ancient monument, overseen by English Heritage. 
This was painted during a paint out day with the Southampton Urban Sketchers on the 13th May 2023. Its sized at 12" x 9.5" and done in oils on mounting board.

Plein air painting 94b (Unfinished)

Done on the same day as the previous post (13th April 2023) was this unfinished scene of one of the boats at Eling marina ( Hampshire), a few minutes walk from the previous location. Unfortunately the painting was abandoned due to a heavy downpour. It is sized at 9.5" x 8" and done in oils on mounting board.

Head painting exercise - 'Anderson' 01

Head painting exercise - 'Anderson' set 01

A collection of some puppet characters from the world of Gerry Anderson. The subjects are not the most famous character for each program, but still popular. The 'stars' are left for another time!

Each one painted in oils on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5", during various points in 2023.

top left - Dr Venus (Fireball XL5), top right - Phones (Stingray), bottom left - Captain Black (Captain Scarlet), bottom right - Sam Loover (Joe 90).

Plein air painting 95

Looking across heathland on the New Forest, Hampshire, can be seen the venting pipes of the oil refinery at Fawley, a large industrial complex on the banks of Southampton water. The countryside landscape was painted on the 20th April 2023. Done in oils on mounting board, sized at 12" x 9.5". It was a very windy day when this was painted!

 Plein air painting 94a

This view shows the outer part of Totton, Hampshire. The city of Southampton would be off to the right. The river is the Test looking upstream, with the viewer positioned at  Goatee Beach, part of the small village of Eling on the banks of the river. The weather was very variable at the time with some small rain showers, as seen by the threatening clouds.
The landscape painting is done in oils on mounting board sized at 12" x 9.5" during 13th April 2023.

Plein air painting 101

Near to Blackwater Arboretum in the New Forest, Hampshire, and where the previous post was situated is Flechs Water, a few minutes away. This old log made an interesting subject. Painted on mounting board sized at 12" x 9.5", and done in oils during a fine hot day on the 25th May 2023.

Plein air painting 93

Southampton 'old' cemetery contains a number of buildings, all grade II built around the same time. This one, known as the Non-Conformist Chapel, though used as storage space, was painted on a Saturday morning in February 2023. I joined a group known as the 'Urban Sketchers' for this paint out, so I had plenty of company on that occasion.
The painting measures 12" x 9.5" and done in oils on cardboard.

Head painting exercise - 'Vintage Coronation Street' 01

Head painting exercise - 

'Vintage Coronation Street' 01

A set of famous characters from the 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. 

Top left - Elsie Tanner, top right - Albert Tatlock, bottom left - Len Fairclough, bottom right - Annie Walker.

Plein air painting 89

This old church is quite unusual in that the clock on the tower only has one (hour) hand. When St Nicolas’ Church in Stoneham was built c1500s, minute hands were not considered necessary. There may have been a church of some description as early as the 800s. The building as it stands would have been altered and added to over the centuries and suffered some damage during WWII. It is grade II listed.
Painted on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5" in oils, during early November 2022.

A second, smaller oil painting was done on the same day of the doorway on the other side of the building. The artwork measures 8" x7".

Plein air painting 91

Plein air painting 91 (unfinished)

This view shows the B3079 going through the Bramshaw area of the New Forest, Hampshire. On the right hand side (off canvas) would be the Green Dragon pub. The sky was quite foreboding when I started this plein air landscape. Sadly after about 30mins it started to rain. I continued for another 15 mins or so but had to stop because the raindrops were settling on the oil paint to an uncontrolled amount, like little beads. Fortunately I had got the painting to a level where it is showable, even if not actually finished. When the water droplets finally disappeared, little circles/ dots are left in the paintwork.
Painted in oils on the 24 November 2022 this artwork is done on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5".

Head painting exercise - 'Blakes 7' set 01

Head painting exercise - 'Blakes 7' 01

Blakes 7, a popular television series from 1978 -81 featured a number of popular characters. This selection features top left, Roj Blake, top right, Vila Restal, bottom left, Jenna Stannis, bottom right Kerr Avon.
Each on is done in oils on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5", during summer 2023.

Plein air painting 90

Palmerston Park is one of five parks to be found in central Southampton. Looking south across the park, past Pound Tree road/ neighbouring Houndwell Park and in the very distance W Bargate road. The large trees made very pleasant shadows on the ground while the diminishing foliage blurred in with the buildings in the background.
Painted on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5" in oils during a slightly chilly but very sunny morning in November 2022.

Plein air painting 88

Converted from one of the old Victorian docks in Southampton (UK) is the development known as Ocean Village. It was started in the 1980s and continues to be developed. Pictured is a section of the Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa, a 5 star hotel of recent construction. Its design, when seen from afar, looks like the stern of a luxurious ‘super-yacht’. 
Painted in late October 2022 one Saturday morning with fine light on mounting board sized at 12" x 9.5" and completed in oils.

Seated woman with camera - oil painting

Painted late 2022/early 2023 this artwork features a young woman sitting outside, surrounded by plants, holding a vintage Polaroid camera. The sitter is Khairah, and describing herself in her own words..."Above all else, I love creative expression. Whether it's directing actors on set, writing poems, performing covers, or getting into the nitty-gritty of an academic essay- I am happiest when exercising my imagination."
The painting measures 33” x 23” and is done in oils on mounting board.
I thank Khairah for the opportunity to paint her.

The artwork can be seen in greater detail here.

Plein air painting 87

During late October 2022 this view of the Ornamental lake was produced one morning. The light was quite low in the sky and the island of trees was painted from the main footpath across the lake.
Painted on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5" in oils.

Plein air painting 86

In the past I've painted a certain part of Southampton common a number of times, this being the gatekeepers cottage near to the exit at Hill Lane. Here the view is right by the cottage boundary and looking in a northerly direction down part of the common. Painted one Friday afternoon in early November (2022) on a sunny and mild afternoon. Oil on cardboard (12" x 9.5").

 Working on closeup 97

A small snippet of a painting featuring a young woman...

Plein air painting 85

A study of some gravestones catching the strong summer light one afternoon in 2022. The graves with nature claiming back the space, are to be found in Southampton 'Old' cemetery. Painted in oils on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5, and unusually for me, painted in portrait format.

Plein air painting 83

Following on from the previous post, this is a further view from Andrews Park, in the middle of Southampton city. It is painted a day later,(during October 2022) from a location just a few feet away but looking in a different direction. Here various tall buildings can be seen (one in scaffolding) along the Brunswick Place/ Charlotte place roads. University buildings are in the centre with the Jurys Inn hotel on the right. 
Oil painted on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5".

Plein air painting 84

This plein air landscape features the Tudor influenced gates at Southampton 'Old' cemetery. This is from inside, looking out of the boundary of the cemetery, where Cemetery Rd leads in to the avenue and the central part of the city. 
The cemetery was opened on 7 May 1846 and is largely unused now for burials. Two stone griffins once surmounted the pillars, lost at some point in time. Most of the buildings and some memorials in the cemetery are Grade II listed structures. The cemetery covers 27 acres and has a number of graves associated with the Titanic, Battle of Waterloo, Charge of the Light Brigade, the Indian Mutiny and Boer War.
Painted one morning in early November 2022, using oils on a piece of cardboard, cut to 12" x 9.5".