Three artists who each have a very different approach to the same style of painting have opened a joint exhibition at an art gallery in Laxey.

Entitled ’Views, Vistas and Studies’, the exhibition features the work of three painters, local artists John Caley and Ronnie Doyle, along with English painter Max Aitkin, and is on display at the Hodgson Loom Gallery, at the Laxey Woollen Mills.

All three of the artists paint through the medium of watercolour, and what makes the exhibition appealing, apart from the high quality of the work, is to see how each painter approaches their work.

Although the main focus of the subject matter is based around landscapes, there are three very obviously different styles on show.

John Caley’s very meticulous, intricate studies of details of the landscapes contrast well with Ronnie’s more lively style of the Manx countryside.

Max’s work is a far more colourful, vibrant approach, and his pictures of street scenes and buildings are packed with energy, verve and life.

The three artists were brought together by Julia Ashby Smyth, the curator of the gallery, who thought each style would both contrast against and compliment the others.

’I’ve never seen Max’s work before, or Ronnie’s for that matter,’ said John, a trained graphic designer, illustrator and photographer who is exhibiting on the island for the first time.

’We were asked by Julia if we would like an exhibition, and I jumped at the chance, as did the others.’

’We are totally different in our approaches,’ said Ronnie.

’I come from a building and architecture background. ’I spent years trying to get away from being precise and I put very little detail in my paintings.

’My style, as opposed to John’s, is very loose. I usually use big brushes, and big washes, and as it is drying I start putting in the odd bit of detail.

’I start with the drawing, with is essential to get the balance and the compositions right. But they are only guidelines.

’Then, as quickly as possible, I get down washes on the paper and the mind takes over.

’The picture almost has a mind of its own after that.’

’Views, Vistas and Studies’ is open every day until 5pm, and is free to enter.