Oil painting of RMS Queen Mary approaching Southampton's waterfront, featuring maritime activity — cruise ships, marina yachts, and the Solent, painted by Gregory Smith
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Southampton Painting Commissions

Bespoke oil paintings of the cruise ships, marinas, waterfront, and maritime life of Southampton — painted on site and in the studio.

A painting that captures the city
and its deep connection with the sea.

For Residents & Locals

A painting of the waterfront you see every day, your boat in the marina, or the view from Town Quay. As I live in Southampton, I paint many local subjects on site and can often be found painting in Ocean Village.

For Cruise Passengers & Tourists

Commemorate a voyage that began or ended in Southampton — the ship, the departure, the cruise. A one-of-a-kind original painting and a permanent reminder of the experience. The perfect gift for 'frequent floaters'.

For Businesses & Shipping Companies

Corporate gifts, office displays, naming ceremonies, and boardroom paintings — with full reproduction rights available. Whether it's a vessel portrait or a dockyard scene, the painting works across your organisation.

How a Painting is Made

From first pencil marks to finished oil painting — four stages of collaborative process.

Reference photograph of the racing yacht Maiden alongside the Harbour Hotel in Ocean Village Marina for a Southampton painting commission
01

Reference

For Southampton subjects, I often work directly on site — sketching and photographing the location in person to capture the light and atmosphere. For vessel portraits, I draw from your photographs, General Arrangement plans, and my own reference gathered at the waterfront.

Pencil study for a painting commission of the yacht Maiden moored alongside the Harbour Hotel ahead of the Ocean Globe Race start
02

Sketch

A full-colour study sent for your approval. This establishes the composition, lighting, atmosphere, and livery — ensuring you're completely satisfied before the final painting begins.

In progress oil painting of the yacht maiden moored alongside Southampton's Harbour Hotel, before detail is added
03

Painting Process

The painting is created over six to eight weeks in traditional oils. You'll receive progress photographs at each key stage — there's never a long silence. Adjustments are straightforward while the work is in progress.

Completed oil painting of the yacht Maiden in Southampton, fully detailed and ready for delivery
04

Completed Work

Professionally framed and delivered fully insured worldwide — or collected locally in Southampton. Ready to hang, designed for your wall.

Your Experience

Four stages from first conversation to painting on the wall. You'll know what's happening at every stage.

Discussion

A friendly call or email about the subject, the setting, and the size that suits. I'm happy to suggest what will work best if you're not sure.

Sketch & Approval

I research the subject and produce a compositional sketch for your approval. You'll see the angle, setting, and atmosphere before any paint is committed. Nothing moves forward until you're happy.

Painting

Six to eight weeks in traditional oils, with progress photographs at regular intervals. You're welcome to comment at any point.

Delivery

Professionally framed, fully insured, shipped worldwide — or collected locally in Southampton. Timed to your deadline if needed.

Whether you guide every detail or leave the composition entirely to me, the process works the same way. Some clients arrive with a specific view of the waterfront in mind. Others simply name the ship or location and enjoy watching the painting evolve. Both are completely fine.

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. Whether painted on site at the waterfront or developed in the studio from sketches gathered there, every commission is a one-of-a-kind original.

Close-up detail of an oil painting showing brushwork and surface texture on a Red Jet ferry approaching Town Quay Marina, Southampton
Close-up detail of oil painting surface quality showing fine maritime detail on Cunard's Queen Anne departing Southampton including name plate and funnel
I'm impressed with the professional way you approached the task, with a desire to get it just right.
Private Commission, Ocean Village
"Very straightforward process with an outstanding result."
Private Collector, Switzerland
"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
Buying as a Gift

A painting of the cruise ship someone sailed on from Southampton, or a favourite view of the waterfront they know well. During our process, you can include personal details — a specific vessel, a marina berth, the conditions they'd remember. A Southampton painting they'll treasure.

Buying for Yourself

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.

Pencil sketch detail from a Southampton painting commission — a view of the sketchbook whilst drawing with the client in Ocean Village marina
New to Commissioning?

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, a location, or a favourite view of the waterfront.

There's no obligation to commit, and no question you should worry about asking. Get in touch, I'll talk you through how it works, and you can decide from there.

No commitment required · No formal brief · Just a chat
About the Artist

Gregory Smith

I'm a marine artist living in Southampton and painting its maritime subjects regularly - both on site at the waterfront, marinas, and docks, and in the studio from sketches and reference material. You may have seen me painting in Ocean Village or exhibiting at the Southampton Boat Show.

A seven-time exhibitor with the Royal Society of Marine Artists, my wider practice spans historical ships, yachts, and commercial vessels. Every painting is approached with a professional mindset: research thoroughly, get the details right, deliver on time.

Commissioned By

Southampton Residents · Cruise Passengers · Yacht Owners · Captains · Private Collectors

Delivered Worldwide
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Marine artist Gregory Smith holding a framed oil painting of a motor yacht on the deck of a vessel
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The marine artist Gregory Smith painting on site in oils at Ocean Village Marina, Southampton, with yachts and buildings in the background on a sunny day

Ready to discuss a commission?

Whether it's a cruise ship you sailed on from Southampton, your yacht in Ocean Village, the waterfront you see every day, or a piece of the city's maritime history — I'd welcome hearing from you. Just a quick call or email is all that's needed to start.

gregory@marinepaintings.art +44 (0) 7916 066 226

Common Questions

What subjects can you paint from Southampton?

Anything connected to the city's maritime life — cruise ships, yachts in Ocean Village or Town Quay, Red Funnel ferries, container ships, historic liners like Titanic or Queen Mary, or simply the waterfront itself. As a local artist, I paint many subjects on site.

Can you paint a specific cruise ship I sailed on?

Absolutely. Whether it's a Cunard Queen, a P&O liner, or any vessel that sailed from Southampton — departing the terminal, passing Calshot, or heading out through the Solent. Just provide the ship name and I'll handle the research.

Can you paint a historical Southampton scene?

Yes. I have extensive experience with historical subjects and regularly work from archival photographs, postcards, and builder's plans. Titanic's departure, the great ocean liner era, the flying boats at Hythe, or the old docks — all are possible subjects.

Can you work to a specific deadline?

Yes — commissions are regularly timed to birthdays, retirements, anniversaries, and corporate events. Let me know the date and I'll confirm the timeline upfront.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes. Works are professionally packed, fully insured, and delivered worldwide. Local Southampton collection is also available.

How does payment work?

A 50% deposit secures your slot, with the balance on completion. Formal quotations available on request.

Let me know what you have in mind, and I'll reply within 1 working day