Historic Ship Painting Commissions
Age of Sail warships, Dreadnoughts, 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.
For History Enthusiasts & Collectors
A painting of the vessel you've studied, admired, or felt a personal connection to. Researched from Admiralty draughts, builder's plans, and contemporary accounts — correct to the year, the configuration, and the conditions. From Age of Sail tall ships to WW2 warships and ocean liners.
For Family & Service Connections
A grandfather's warship. A vessel your family watched from the quayside. The liner that brought your parents to a new country. Personal and naval histories preserved as original oil paintings — the perfect gift for anyone with a connection to a ship's story.
For Societies & Publications
Detailed primary source research applied to every commission. Suitable for exhibition, publication, and reproduction with full rights available. 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
Your Experience
Four stages from first conversation to painting on the wall. You'll know what's happening at every stage.
Discussion
A conversation about the ship, setting, and deadline. If you'd simply like to discuss what's possible, that works too. I'm happy to suggest what will work best if you're not sure.
Sketch & Approval
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
Six to eight weeks in traditional oils, with progress photographs at regular intervals. You're welcome to comment at any point — particularly on matters of historical accuracy as the detail develops.
Delivery
Professionally framed, fully insured, shipped worldwide. High-resolution digital files can be included for personal use or publication. Timed to your deadline if needed.
Whether you guide every historical detail or leave the research and composition entirely to me, the process works the same way. Some clients arrive with decades of knowledge about their chosen vessel. Others simply name the ship and enjoy watching the painting evolve. Both are completely fine.
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.
"I'm impressed with the professional way you approached the task with a desire to get it just right."Private Collector, UK
"It has arrived and is gorgeous!"Private Collector, USA
"Thank you Gregory! I'll contact you in some years with my next boat."Yacht Owner, Norway
A painting of the ship someone's grandfather served aboard, or a vessel they've studied for years — accurate in every detail. During our process, you can include personal touches: a specific engagement, a date of service, the configuration they'd recognise. A historic ship painting they'll treasure.
I can composite the colour sketch and a frame into a photograph of your room so you can see exactly how it will look. I can also post you the physical colour study to test in your own light. Size guidance and framing consultation included as standard.
You Don't Need to Be an Art Expert
If you've never commissioned a painting before, you might be wondering how it works or what you're supposed to say. Most commissions start with a short email — often just a ship name and an approximate period.
There's no obligation to commit, and no question you should worry about asking. If you know a lot about the vessel, that's brilliant — your knowledge makes the painting better. If you simply have a name and want to leave the rest to me, that's equally fine. Get in touch and I'll talk you through how it works.
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.
Naval History Enthusiasts · Captains · Crew · Private Collectors
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 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.
Can you depict a ship in a specific configuration or date?
Yes — ships changed significantly over their service lives. Tell me the date or period you want and I'll research the correct configuration. If you already know what changed and when, even better.
My grandfather served aboard this ship — can you paint it?
Yes. 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.
How does payment work?
A 50% deposit secures your slot, with the balance on completion. Formal quotations available on request.