Martin was born in Glasgow in 1952 and his talent for drawing was evident from an early age, when he was rarely seen without a pencil and paper in hand. Largely self-taught, he continued  to draw and paint throughout a career in the construction industry but, as demand for his work grew,he decided to focus exclusively on painting as a career.

Now a well-known exhibiting artist with work in many galleries and private collections he spends half his year painting Scotland`s varied landscape, and the other half  in his studio in La Casa Celtica, Ronda, Andalusia, Spain offering painting holidays.

Martin has developed a unique style in watercolour landscape painting and his work is instantly recognizable on the  walls of the many galleries which show his work. His unconventional approach and technique produces work that is both intense and dramatic.

Martin Oates on watercolour painting:

"Watercolour painting can be unforgiving, but it can also offer intense rewards. Unlike other mediums there is little room for error as over painting is not an option, so the artist must learn when to persevere and when to discard work. There is no guarantee of success."

"There is a sense in which the medium is subject to "controlled accident". This can add to the drama of the painting and enable the artist to more closely imitate nature when painting landscape and sky."

"The watercolourist must build a directory of techniques and also know when to stop painting. Once learned, these techniques form the foundation for progress as an artist."