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").

Plein air painting 76

Some vegetation in a shady spot as seen on Southampton Common during a sunny afternoon in early October. Painted in oils on cardboard, sized at 12" x 9.5", 2022.

Plein air painting 63

A further view set on Southampton common, Hampshire, UK. This part of the common shows one of the main routes through the area leading to Hill lane. The Victorian building is part of the gate keepers cottage and has been painted before. This landscape painting was created one afternoon in August 2022 to the fascination of local school children. It is done on cardboard sized at 12" x 9.5", and done in oils.

Plein air painting 39

Southampton common is 365 acres in size and situated in the middle of the city of Southampton. Its origins can be found in the 13th century. There are various types of area withing, including open land for sports and recreation, woodland areas and play zones for children. There are also a model boating/ paddling pool, a 'cemetery' lake and an 'ornamental' lake which is the subject of this plein air painting, done during August 2021. The small 'island' within is pictured. 
This artwork is done in oils on supermarket cardboard sized at 11.5" x 9.5".

 Plein air painting 36

Painted in July 2021 on a friday afternoon. The building shown is a gatekeepers cottage situated within Southampton common's public park, Hampshire. Hill Lane and the Bellemoor pub are situated just behind, as are some small buildings connected with the upkeep and storage of equipment for the common. 
This 'plein air' work measures 12" x 9.5" and is painted on a piece of cardboard from a local supermarket.

 Plein air painting 18

A view of a path running through Southampton common painted during October 2020.

 Plein art painting 11

Plein air painting of tree trucks by path.

Painted on a sunny September morning this plein air sketch shows tree trunks beside a tarmac path running through a part of Southampton common, Hampshire. Plenty of people were passing on their way to work and school but most probably did not notice me hidden on the opposite side of the path, hidden in the shade. The painting is 12" x 9" and done in oils over a 2 hr period. It is on a light brown coloured ground.

Two people walking through woods at Southampton common - WIP stages

Stages in the creation of the Hampshire common painting.

The image, split in to 3 panels, shows three stages of the creation of the artwork. In the first panel can be seen the initial drawing done in brown acrylic on on a brown acrylic wash. Certain areas which will be quite light in tone (such as the sky) have been painted with white acrylic paint. Moving on to a later stage the second panel shows initial work on the first oil painted layer, where basic areas of colour are added using thinned oil painting. No detail is done at this stage, is purpose is to act as an underpainting for the scene. When this is dry, in this case 10 days, then work can continue with the final stage, as shown in the 3rd panel. Here in the final stage, paint is added much thicker than before, to the correct colours and with details added, although the underpainting still partially still shows through. Once the painting is completed and dry a 'glazing' layer is added which is a part transparent application of paint held in an oil medium over the painting which is used to emphasize colours and depth in the scene.

The painting can be seen in greater detail on this link.

 

 Plein air painting 08

View of Watts Park, Southampton

This is the view looking south from a spot on Watts Park, Southampton in Hampshire. The clock tower of the Civic centre, built in the 1930s, can be seen above the trees. On the right in a very abstract form is the statue of Isaac Watts.This 12" x 9" plein air painting was done on the afternoon of hte 10th September 2020.

 

 Plein air painting 07

A pair of trees on Southampton common on a sunny day. Painted in the morning, dated 10th September 2020 and was a mostly sunny day. The oak tree had wonderful, twisting branches. It took about 90mins.

Plein air painting 06

A sunny Southampton common morning plein air art

A view of Southampton Common, near to one of the main routes through the area with a tarmaced path in the mid distance. Painted in early September on an early morning, with many dog walkers exercising, and others going to school or work. It is done in oils on mounting board, sized at 12" x 9". It was painted on a very light brown colour (ground), rather than white.

Southampton Common view towards Hill Lane - oil painting

Southampton Common view towards Hill Lane - oil painting

Completed painting of strollers at Southampton Common art

 A late summers scene at Southampton Common is the subject of this oil painting, sized at 20” x 16” and painted on canvas. The view is looking west with the busy Hill Lane running across the picture hidden behind the trees in the distance, the painting showing the west entrance/ exit for the common. The 'Bellemoor' pub is just beyond the entrance as is the residential area of Shirley. Some trees have started to shed their leaves and the early evening shadows are quite long at this time of year. This painting was partly done in public during a publicity event at the Marlands Shopping centre, Southampton during late January/ early February 2020, where the public were encouraged to ask questions about the artwork as it was worked upon.The painting can be seen in greater detail on this link.

Working on closeup 73

Working on closeup 73

A small snippet of a park based painting...

Southampton Common view towards Hill Lane - WIP stages

Southampton Common view towards Hill Lane - WIP stages

Stages of the painting featuring a part of Southampton Common.

This outdoor scene shows a view within Southampton Common, within the city of Southampton, UK. It is a sunny day in the autumn with long shadows being cast by the trees and over the path of one the main routes through the common. Locals are seen to be taking an afternoon stroll through it.

The picture below shows four stages in the development of the oil painting, created in late January 2020 and in view of the public at an art event held locally.

In the first panel can be seen the subject drawn on to a canvas with a light brown acrylic wash. The drawing is done in brown acrylic and high value tones painted in white paint. The second panel shows areas of colour added in using diluted oil paint, so that it is thinly applied. This is the 'under-painting' and in which the colour tends to be on the dark side with little detail. Once this layer is dry, (usually a few days) then the final application of paint is painted on. At this stage the paint is thicker and true to the intended colour value. Also details are now painted in as seen in the third panel. The final panel displays the finished landscape painting, which is on canvas sized at 20” x 16”. The artwork can be seen in better clarity by following this link.

Group Of Trees In The New Forest - WIP stages

Group Of Trees In The New Forest - WIP stages

Steps in the creation of 'Group of Trees in the New Forest' painting.

A peaceful scene in the New Forest, set in the county of Hampshire, Southern England, is the subject of this work. It was painted in June 2019, on mounting board sized at 20” x 16”, using oils.

The picture shows a WIP stages view of how the painting was created. The first panel shows initial work on drawing in the scene details using dark brown acrylic paint on a lighter brown base colour. Basic tonal areas are added in to show the lights and darks within the composition.. Once this is dry which is only a short time for acrylic paint, the oil paints are opened up and basic areas of colours and tonal areas are applied with thinned out paint on top of the acrylic drawing as seen in the second panel. This layer acts as a guide, or underpainting for the later process, which is shown in the third panel, where the paint is now thicker and applied in a more meaningful manner, with the correct colours and details laid on top. Final the last panel depicts the finished oil painting.

The artwork can be viewed in greater detail on this link to an external site.

Working on closeup 60

Working on closeup 60

 A small snippit of a forest based oil painting...

Southampton Old Cemetery In Autumn - WIP stages

Southampton Old Cemetery In Autumn - WIP stages

Steps of progress on the painting of Southampton 'Old' cemetery

Created during autumn 201, this painting features the 'Old Cemetery' in Southampton, attached to the common. Most of this Victorian cemetery is overgrown with nature reclaiming the area. This oil painting measures 20” x 16” and is created on mounting board.

The panel above shows work in progress on the picture. The first step is to draw out the scene using brown acrylic paint on top of a brown wash of diluted paint. Some areas are painted white where there are strong bright areas. The point to this step is to fix down the range of tones through out the painting. The second panel indicated where the underpainting has been applied, using diluted oils, to find the base colours. Often at this stage the colours are intentionally darker hues of the final applied paint choices. The third panel shows progress on applying thicker paint with the correct hues, and also with details added. Finally the last panel shows the finished art.

The painting can be seen in greater detail on this link.

Working on closeup 55

Working on closeup 55

A small snippet of a graveyard painting...

Winchester Hill Area In Hampshire During Summer - oil painting

Winchester Hill Area In Hampshire During Summer - oil painting

oil painting of "Winchester Hill Area In Hampshire During Summer"

This oil painting depicts a site within the Old Winchester Hill area, situated in the county on Hampshire, southern England. The area offers fantastic views of the surrounding area, including the Solent, and the cites of Portsmouth and Southampton, and is part of the South downs national park. The area features an iron age fort, most of which has not been excavated by archaeologists.The gate leads to an area which is cordoned off from being used as it was used for by the army for training during WW2, and possibly contains unexpolded bombs.

The painting is created on mounting board, sized at 20” x 16”, and was painted during autumn 2018. It can be viewed in greater detail here.