Maritime Art
Launch of Renown
This painting was my first maritime scene painted in oils and it is probably one of my favourites. It depicts the launch of the nuclear submarine HMS Renown at Cammell Laird’s shipyard in Birkenhead in 1967 and was based on a black and white photo taken on the day. I had always wanted to paint Renown as my uncle had served aboard her during his career in the Royal Navy and had a great affection for her. This family link to the vessel made me especially keen to try and paint her. After searching through many images of the Renown at sea, I came across this image and the sheer spectacle and occasion as the submarine ran down the slipway into the Mersey made this the perfect subject for a painting. This painting was exhibited by the Royal Society of Marine Artists at their 2019 exhibition.
Hood Leaving Portsmouth
Painting HMS Hood was the fulfilment of a childhood dream - as a kid I had been fascinated with Hood and with her epic final battle with Bismarck, so this famous British ship had always been high on my list of things to paint! But as I had found when researching images for my painting of Renown, I found that images of ships at sea never quite captured the ship in the way I had in mind. I wanted to include more life in any picture of her and also try and portray the huge public interest in Hood that existed during her lifetime (and still exists today); I felt this scene captured that very well. I also hugely enjoyed the wee bursts of colour that the crowd brought to the painting, which brought some much needed contrast to the various shades of grey that made up Hood. This painting was exhibited by the Royal Society of Marine Artists at their 2020 exhibition.
More Maritime Paintings
