Mark I'Anson's work will go on display at the Falkirk Wheel

Scottish painter Mark I'Anson produced the collection by studying archive images, rather than visiting the waterways themselves.

The exhibition aims to depict working life on The Forth and Clyde, Union, Crinan and Caledonian canals.

The "Links" collection is due to go on display to the public at the Falkirk Wheel from July until September.

Mr I'Anson said he had been aware of the canals from a young age because of his time living in Fort William.

"I wanted this exhibition to show people the changing face of the canal, but not in a nostalgic way," said the 38-year-old artist.

"I want people to look at where the canals were and think about where they are heading."

'Better understanding'

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to see Mr I'Anson's finished paintings, which are all more than one square metre in size, along with his working sketches and the old photographs which inspired them.

He added: "The work has been produced in a more indirect manner. Rather than go to the canals for inspiration I used archived images.

"By showing the photographs and sketches it provides people with a better understanding of how paintings are produced."

The collection is part of an arts programme devised by British Waterways Scotland to help give the public a better understanding of Scotland's inland waterways.