Landscapes

Martin grew up in the picturesque village of Old Basing in Hampshire and now lives on the edge of London, bordering on the weald of Kent. This has influenced his passion for the British countryside and historic buildings. He is an enthusiastic walker and traveller and always takes a sketch book and some paints with him. Below, he offers some insights into the background of his landscapes.

  • Old Basing Mill

    “I grew up in the very picturesque village of Old Basing in Hampshire. I did this water colour when I had just left university. The mill is now a pub.”

  • Trees in early morning mist

    “This is a combination of Indian ink and watercolour. I took the idea from a magazine photo. It is much more about capturing a mood than a real place.“

  • Fox Hill

    “I live on the edge of some beautiful Kent countryside. This watercolour was painted at the edge of a field looking towards Keston.“

  • Down House

    “This watercolour was painted on the lawn at the rear of the house owned by Charles Darwin in the village of Downe.”

  • Ightham Mote

    “This National Trust property is small but beautiful. For this painting I balanced my watercolour block and paints on the wall of the moat.”

  • Horrabridge

    “A good friend owns a cottage on the edge of Dartmoor. This watercolour of the river which runs behind it was a present to say thank you for letting me stay there.”

  • Llantony Abbey

    “Llantony is a magical place, nestling in the Brecon Beacons near Hay. I have visited many times and always climb up the hill to walk along the ridge at the top which has outstanding views. Once I had the good fortune to spend a night in the adjacent hotel which was formerly the abbot’s home.“

  • Cuckmere

    “Anyone who knows Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters will know that this is an impossible view as it offers around a 270 degree perspective and takes in about 10 miles of coastline and inland views. In other words, it is a seagull’s perspective through space and time.”

  • If you go down to the woods today ...

    “During lockdown my wife and I went on many walks, sometimes through densely forrested areas. I find them quite eerie. This watercolour is purely out of my imagination and aims to create a mood rather than show a real place.”

  • Pinetum

    “This watercolour painting was inspired by a visit to Wakehurst Place. I was particularly struck by the dead limbs of the pine trees. Not literally!”

  • Thurne Windmill

    “I spent 4 hours painting this while on a trip to Norfolk. During this time, the light changed significantly, the wind changed direction and moved the sails around, and several week-end boaters decided to moor up in front of me. The trials and tribulations of painting en plein air!”

  • Portugal

    “On a family holiday, a few years ago, we stayed in an old manor house. This watercolour was painted on a sunny afternoon sitting on a shaded terrace covered in dappled sunlight.”