Commercial Shipping Commissions
Bespoke oil paintings of cruise ships, merchant vessels, and the ships that shaped your time at sea.
A painting that captures your ship
exactly as you remember her.
There are some ships you never quite leave behind. Whether it's the vessel you served aboard for years, the cruise that marked a milestone, or the ship your company built and named — certain vessels carry a significance that photographs alone don't fully honour.
A commissioned painting gives that connection a permanent, physical form. Every detail researched and accurate, from waterline to radar mast. Something to present, to display, to keep — and to be proud of.
For Captains & Crew
A personal tribute to a ship you commanded or served aboard — or the perfect retirement gift for someone who did.
For Shipping Companies
A statement piece for a naming ceremony, a fleet milestone, or a boardroom that deserves more than a photograph.
Corporate commissions with full reproduction rights →
For Passengers & Enthusiasts
A round-the-world voyage, a maiden cruise, or simply a ship you've always admired — commemorated in oil on canvas.
Celandine
16″ × 20″ · Oil on canvasRoRo ferry Celandine passing under the QE2 bridge
Building a Leviathan - Great Eastern under construction
24″ × 30″ · Oil on canvasBrunel's ship being built on the Thames at Millwall
Balmoral
12″ × 16″ · Oil on panelFred Olsen's cruise ship Balmoral in Southampton
Queen Anne's Maiden Voyage
18″ × 24″ · Oil on canvasQueen Anne departs Southampton with fireworks, 2024
See more commercial vessels in the gallery
Your Experience
A straightforward process designed to be easy on your time. Four stages from first conversation to painting on the wall.
Discussion
A brief call or email exchange to cover what you have in mind. The vessel, the occasion, any deadline, and the size that suits. No formal brief needed — just a conversation.
Sketch
I research the vessel and produce a compositional sketch for your approval. You'll see the angle, setting, and livery before any paint is committed — and adjustments are straightforward at this stage.
Painting
The painting is created over six to eight weeks in traditional oils. I'll send progress images at key stages so you can follow the work as it develops — no surprises.
Delivery
Professionally framed, fully insured, and shipped to you worldwide. High-resolution digital files are included for reproduction — prints, merchandise, or corporate use.
Surface & Detail
These are paintings made to be lived with — built up in layers of oil paint with visible brushwork, genuine texture, and the kind of physical presence that a print or photograph cannot replicate. Every commission is a one-of-a-kind original.
Gregory Smith of Marine Paintings did an outstanding job creating a gift for my captain. He kept us updated throughout the process, welcomed our input, and created an incredibly detailed and beautifully painted piece of artwork. He even expedited shipping to ensure it arrived in time for the presentation.
Captains · Ship's Officers · Cruise Passengers · Yacht Owners · Private Collectors
Works delivered to the UK, Europe, North America, and beyond. Fully insured shipping worldwide.
Gregory Smith
Gregory Smith is a British marine artist working in traditional oils, specialising in both commercial and historical vessels. A six-time exhibitor with the Royal Society of Marine Artists, his work covers everything from modern cruise ships and merchant fleets to historic liners and tall ships.
Every commission is approached practically and collaboratively — built from General Arrangement plans, builder's photography, and direct consultation. The aim is always the same: technical accuracy first, then genuine atmosphere. Ships painted as they deserve to be remembered.
Ready to discuss a commission?
Whether it's a gift for a retiring captain, a naming ceremony, a personal tribute to a vessel you served aboard, or a round-the-world voyage you'd like to remember — I'd welcome hearing from you. A vessel name and the occasion is all that's needed to start.
Common Questions
What if I don't have reference photographs?
Not a problem at all. Sourcing references is a core part of what I do. Simply provide the vessel name, IMO number, or approximate dates and I'll locate General Arrangement plans, builder's records, and archival material to ensure accuracy.
Why a painting rather than a model or photograph?
A painting captures atmosphere — the light, the sea, the specific moment — in a way that models and photographs cannot. It's also a unique original artwork that holds its value, can be reproduced as prints for crew gifts or corporate use, and makes a statement in any setting from a captain's cabin to a boardroom.
Can you work to a specific deadline?
Yes. Commissions are frequently timed to naming ceremonies, retirements, round-the-world cruise completions, and company milestones. If you're working toward a fixed date, let me know from the start and I'll confirm the timeline before any work begins.
What about reproduction rights?
For individual commissions, limited personal reproduction rights are included (personal prints, gifts to family). Full commercial reproduction rights — for merchandise, publications, and organisational use — are included as standard with corporate commissions.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Works are professionally packed, fully insured, and delivered worldwide. I've shipped to Europe, North America, the Middle East, and further.
How does payment work?
A 50% deposit secures your commission slot, with the balance due on completion before delivery. I can provide a formal quotation or proforma invoice if needed