Mudeford Quay Christchurch from Hengistbury Head - acrylic painting

Mudeford Quay Christchurch from Hengistbury Head

 

Mudeford Quay Christchurch from Hengistbury Head - acrylic painting 20" x 16"

This painting shows Mudeford Quay, on the outskirts of Christchurch, Dorset. The scene is of the entrance to Christchurch harbour with the quay on one side and on the viewers side is Hengistbury Head with some children at play at the end of the sandy spit.

The dominant building is the Haven House Inn and as can be seen a number of buildings have a black painted side. However over the past few decades much development has taken place here as it is a very popular location for tourists. It is also a popular location of fishing and fishing boats can be seen unloading their catch during the day at the quay side. The small section of water is known as 'The Run', and is the only entrance to the harbour. It has been the scene of battles between smugglers and customs officers back in the 18^th century. Despite its small appearance the water has an extremely fast flow to the sea and is a taxing route for boats and yachts, and swimming near this outlet is considered dangerous but a ferry links the two sides of the entrance and takes a few minutes. It is a 14 minute car drive plus a long walk to go around the harbour via dry land.

Christchurch Harbour is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The 352 hectare site is designated both for its biological and geological interest.

The painting was done using acrylic paint on stretched paper and has a 20” x 16” image area, and was completed during November 2016. The finished painting can be seen here.

#Christchurch #painting #mudeford #art #landscape

Cartoon Cow Family on Boating Holiday

Cartoon Cow Family on Boating Holiday

 

Cartoon family made up of cows, sitting in a boat during their holiday. The father cow is enjoying the heat of the day, and a beer. The younger calf’s are amused by the local wildlife with the grumpy teenager is lost in his music. Finally the mother is looking after the baby cow.

Painted in photoshop to A4 size during feb 2014.

http://martin-davey.artistwebsites.com/featured/cartoon-cow-family-on-boating-holiday-martin-davey.html

Cartoon Cow Family on Boating Holiday

Kids with Haunted Grandfather Clock Ghost

Kids with Haunted Grandfather Clock Ghost

 

This illustration depicts two, young frightened children surprised by a ghost inhabiting an old grandfather clock in an old,spooky house they were wandering around in.

The painting was done in Photoshop in December 2013.

Kids with Haunted Grandfather Clock Ghost

Children and Snowman playing together

Children and Snowman playing together

This illustration was created in the last days of 2013, and features a large snowman wearing a hat, carrot and scarf having fun in the snow with two happy children. I decided to give the children 'manga' features and have a slightly graphic look to the image by having a pattern of snowflakes and beams of light rather than a 'scene' as such, creating a bold and simple composition. The fan of light beams helps to focus on the subject matter.

The illustration is created in photshop to A3 size.

Children and Snowman playing together

kids on the moon

kids on the moon

Alien ice cream
moon kids catapult
the top 'ice cream' was done in the summer of 2007. I particularly enjoyed painting the ice creams. Its always good if food looks good painted. The later 'moon' catapult' was done in feb 2010. I was thinking of 'giles' the cartoonist moon creatures when painting my troublesome kids  in character rather than design.

from the website...
moon kids catapult
This image of cheeky children aliens firing a catapult at an astronaut was painted in photoshop to a format 8" x 10". I wanted the aliens to look old fashioned but have a clear pose and attitude. The astronaut and the moon module are based on ones from the 1960s for the Apollo moon landings. The intention in the image is that the astronaut has already been hit by one missile. In reality the moon is a very grey place so the purple band of stars and the gold coloured parts of the module add some colour to the scene.

Alien ice cream
This was quickly painted as a fun project in photoshop. The space aliens, standing on a moon type planet, are cartoony and appealing on the eye and quite old fashioned. The blue space, rather than a black space colour, also makes it look old, cartoony and quite traditional. The ice creams with cornets were enjoyable to paint, there is always something appealing in painting food! The simple colours help to add to the flavor and appeal of the painting. the little alien popping out of the crater gives young eyes something extra to look at that is not apparent on the first viewing.

Ghost train kids

ghost train kids

Hints of 'scooby doo' maybe! Painted in photoshop in may 2010. Only been on one ghost train ride I think!