Southampton Northam River Itchen old jetty with sea birds

Southampton Northam River Itchen old jetty with sea birds

This oil painting is a view of the River Itchen, in the county of Hampshire UK. Here it is seen in the area of Northam, in the City of Southampton heading towards the port. Local business can be seen in the background, including a scrap metal merchant. The metal is piled up in several mounts on the berth, awaiting collection by ship, usually about once a week. In the foreground is an old jetty, now reduced to 'wooden bones'. However the local seagulls use it to enjoy the view and sunshine on this summer evening. A swan in circling around the base of the jetty.
The painting is done on a canvas measuring 16" x 20". A bright red acrylic paint base was initially applied to the canvas, followed by a drawing in brown acrylic. A colour wash was then applied, again in thinned acrylic paint. Finally the painting itself is done in oil paint, straight from the tube. Painted in 2012.

Southampton Northam River Itchen old jetty with sea birds

Southampton, Northam, river Itchen mud flats, UK

Southampton, Northam, River Itchen mud flats, UK

This landscape painting portrays a well known view from the Northam Bridge at Northam, Southampton, looking down the River Itchen in the direction of the docks and Solent. Here the tide is out and exposes a sea of wrecked boats of all ages and sizes. I was drawn to the interesting things that the location has to offer that would make an interesting painting, like the rotting hulls and the large area of green algae that covers the mudflats, the sea birds looking for food, and the distant features on the horizon. Again this is a popular location with photographers and artists, notably with the interesting textures seen on the landscape and the way that the scene is constantly changing in different light and weather conditions.
This painting is in oils. It is on a canvas that's sized at 16" x 20".

Northam Southampton

Swans and Boats at Riverside Park Southampton

Swans & Boats at Riverside park, Southampton

This is painted in Acrylics on a 16" x 20" canvas. The subject is Riverside Park, on the outskirts of Southampton, Hampshire,UK. Plenty of swans can be seen on the featured river, known as the River Itchen. The water still has a large salt content at this stage and many sea birds can be seen as well as fresh water varieties. The area is popular with canoeists and yachtsmen using the water, and families and friends walking through the park or fishing from the banks of the River Itchen.
The painting is based on a number of poor quality mobile phone images, taken during a summer evening. A complete composition is built up in photoshop and then redrawn on the canvas.

Riverside Park Southampton