The timber waggon

The work of Austin is close in style to the watercolours of Peter de Wint, from whom Austin took lessons. Austin's tones and his atmospheric portrayal of light are particularly reminiscent of de Wint's style. In 1827 he was elected A.O.W.S. and exhibited views of Holland, Belgium and the Rhine over the next three years. Born in Liverpool, Austin's more usual subject matter was views of Lancashire and the north west. He had considerable success as a drawing master and in 1834 was elected a full member of the Old Watercolour Society.