This is a collection of paintings and artwork of the Southampton area. Most are painted in Oil paint, but some are created using Acrylic paint. Most of the artwork is produced to a size of 16” x 20”, using stretched canvas as the support or canvas board. Mostly the subjects are based on photographs of the area. Sometimes these may be changed in the digital domain, by adding extra figures or removing something obtrusive on a computer. The aim is to create a nice, master composition, which is then scaled up and redrawn on to the canvas.
The artist does not paint directly on to the blank canvas, but initially paints it in a strong red, using acrylic paint, to help give the colours applied on top extra life and interest. Each painting takes a few days to do, though as a rule the more complicated the subject is, the longer it takes to do. This is true of such things as buildings and boats, whereas trees, for example are organic shapes and do not have to be reproduced faithfully. The former subjects require more time as they are things that need careful consideration to the laws of perspective. Southampton has a lot of water surrounding it so it is natural that many painted scenes have water in them. The paintings, usually populated with boats and ships are either relating to scenes in a park with small canoes in use, right up to the docks themselves with some of the largest ships afloat, using the Solent as their way in and out of the port. The movements of the tide provide many scenes of interest, and a constantly changing view as at one moment the water level is very high, reflecting the colour of the sky and dominating the colour within the painting. A few hours later the tide has receded and a dark landscape of mud and boat wrecks is revealed, brightened up by the odd pocket of water still remaining. Some of the paintings have been exhibited in local exhibitions, at museums, gallery, art shows and cafés. The artist started capturing the area in paint from the year 2010, and hopefully this project will continue for some time. Many of the paintings are now available as museum quality prints from a UK art print company. Short History of Southampton Southampton is believed to have its earliest inhabitants in the area during the stone age but it is from the 11th century that the town became a port.Today it is the second largest port in the UK, and a gateway for many cruises. Many famous ships have visited the port, including the Titanic which began its maiden voyage from there. The town of Southampton became a city in 1964. Despite its industrial background the city boasts many interesting and beautiful locations and buildings, some of which are featured in paintings on this site. The oldest buildings have parts of Medieval architecture within them, but the earliest recognisable buildings tend to be Tudor. 
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Artist Martin Davey's other websites
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