Welcome to the web site of Martin Eccles, artist

I am a self taught wildlife artist – I take my inspiration from what I see when I am out birding. On my local patch of Northumberland some sights can inspire me time and again – Lapwing on the mudflats; Common Eider on the sea. I travel widely and paint whilst away and here the deal is different – I seldom get the same sort of time that I get at home and so painting is a much faster activity and of a whole range of more exotic subjects – Ibisbill; Bimaculated Lark.

I paint to relax. How I paint depends on the weather and the setting. My drawings are done from life – what happens next depends on circumstances. Hopefully I carry on and paint them there and then – without doubt my favoured option. However, events can conspire – too cold to sit any longer; too late for supper - and the painting is done later.

I hope you enjoy looking at the paintings. Most of the originals on the site are from field sketchbooks; please feel free to download them. If you use them beyond for your own pleasure (in reports and bulletins) then all I ask is that you let me know and include an acknowledgement. If you should find a painting you are interested in purchasing then get in touch – I will gladly give you more detail and a price.