Historical Ship Painting Commissions
Age of Sail, warships, ocean liners, and the ships that shaped history — painted from primary sources in traditional oils.
Atmospheric paintings of historic ships
that get the details right.
If you're looking for a painting of a historical vessel, you probably already know more about her than most people ever will. You know the rig changes between her 1805 and 1812 configurations. You know which funnel livery is correct for a particular crossing. You know when a turret was added.
That level of knowledge deserves an artist who appreciates that depth and works with primary source research — Admiralty draughts, builder's plans, contemporary accounts, and photographic archives. The ship should be depicted as she actually appeared, in the period you specify, with the rigging, armament, and livery correct to that date.
For History Enthusiasts
A ship you've studied, admired, or felt a personal connection to — painted accuracy. Correct to the year, the configuration, and the conditions.
For Family Connections
A grandfather's ship. A vessel your family watched from the quayside as children. The liner that brought your parents to a new country. Personal histories preserved.
For Collectors & Societies
Detailed research applied to every commission. Suitable for exhibition, publication, and reproduction. Works held in private collections throughout the UK and internationally.
The truest picture of an Arcadia" – HM Bark Endeavour at Tahiti
16″ × 20″ · Oil on panelCaptain Cook's first voyage, April 1769
HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales
14″ × 20″ · Oil on panelRoyal Navy warships en route to Singapore, 1941
HMS Dreadnought
18″ × 24″ · Oil on canvasThe famous Dreadnought at sea, 1907
The Golden Hinde off Ternate, 1579
20″ × 30″ · Oil on canvasFrancis Drake's famous ship during his circumnavigation
See more historic vessels in the galleries
Your Experience
A straightforward, collaborative process. Four key stages from first conversation to the painting on your wall.
Discussion
A conversation about the ship, setting, and deadline. If you'd simply like to discuss what's possible, that works too.
Sketch
I research the vessel from primary sources and produce a compositional sketch for your approval. You'll see the angle, composition, and colouring before any paint is committed. Your expertise and suggestions are welcome at any stage.
Painting
The painting is created over six to eight weeks in traditional oils. Progress images at key stages let you follow the work and raise any points of accuracy as the detail develops.
Delivery
Professionally framed, fully insured, and shipped to you worldwide. High-resolution digital files can be included for personal use or publication.
Surface & Detail
These are paintings built to reward close inspection. Layers of oil paint applied with the same deliberation as the research behind them — visible brushwork, genuine texture, and fine detail that holds up at arm's length. From individual gun ports to the play of light through canvas sails. Each commission is a one-of-a-kind original.
Very straightforward process with an outstanding result.
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 historical and contemporary maritime subjects. A seven-time exhibitor with the Royal Society of Marine Artists, his historical work spans the Age of Exploration through to the Second World War — with a particular focus on accuracy, primary source research, and period atmosphere.
Every historical commission begins with the sources — Admiralty draughts, photographic archives, books and contemporary accounts. The aim is a painting that satisfies both as artwork and as historical record. If you know your subject well, you'll find an artist here who works to the same standard.
Ready to discuss a commission?
Whether it's a ship you've studied for years, a vessel with family significance, or a subject you've never seen painted correctly — I'd welcome hearing from you. A few words about what interests you is all that's needed to start a conversation.
Common Questions
How do you research ships from periods with limited visual records?
For Age of Sail and earlier subjects, I work from Admiralty draughts, contemporary ship models, period illustrations, and published naval architecture references. Where ambiguity exists, I'll discuss the options with you and explain what the evidence supports.
Can you paint a specific engagement or historical moment?
Yes, certainly. Each composition is built from fleet records, action reports, and contemporary accounts to place the vessel accurately within the event.
What periods do you cover?
Everything from Age of Exploration vessels through to WW2 subjects — Tudor warships, Age of Sail frigates and ships of the line, ironclads, Dreadnoughts, WW1 and WW2 warships, ocean liners, and merchant vessels of any period. I also paint modern subjects.
Can you depict a ship in a specific configuration or date?
Yes, I appreciate that ships changed significantly over their service lives — re-rigging, re-arming, livery changes, structural modifications. Tell me the date or period you want and I'll research the correct configuration through books, museums, and reliable online sources. If you already know what changed and when, even better.
My grandfather served aboard this ship — can you paint it for me?
Yes, that's no problem at all: If you have the ship name and approximate dates of service, I can research everything else. Any family photographs, however informal, are also useful for establishing personal context.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Works are professionally packed, fully insured, and delivered worldwide.