Ship paintings

[Vegaskip]

I have always been interested in Ships and maritime history, and did spells in the British Merchant Navy and Royal Navy. I have built models most of my life ( not the really serious ones like on here ) but I always had great pleasure building them.  As well as model making, I have always  had an interest in art, well, marine art really, and do a lot of painting, especially now I've retired. I don't consider my self an Artist, more a ship painter. I do it for my own pleasure, and get as much pleasure researching the subject as I do painting them.

Her are a few of my paintings, please feel free to comment. Jim

 

1 Convoy Rescue ship passing. Liberty ship   2. Envoy class rescue Tug  3. Death of. windjammer Flamburgh Head with Rocket Rescue Team

 

[Beef Wellington]

Jim, you have some real talent, I'm not an art critic either to explain why, but your colour balance, cloud and water effects which are notoriously difficult to do well are to my taste, and work especially well in watercolour medium - oh, and the ships look good too!.  Would love to see more.

[Vegaskip]

Thanks Jason, I've had lots of practice. I try to keep away from the Ship Portrait type of painting, if possible I like to tell a story. Here are some more

1.  HMS Hood ( no not that one ) coaling at Portsmouth, and early Submarine and Gun Boat.

2.  Master Shipwright. Ship building at Bucklers Hard.

3.  Stepping the Fore Mast with a Sheer Hulk.

 

[MEDDO]

Very nice thanks for sharing.

[Charter33]

Superb work Jim. I love the detail and the 'atmosphere' you instill in your work. I particularly appreciate your depiction of Bucklers Hard - one of my most favorite places in the New Forest.

Thank's for sharing them.

 

Graham. 

[BLACK VIKING]

Absolutely outstanding work I could certainly live with one of those on my wall , beautiful truly beautiful 

 

Martyn

[Sailor1234567890]

The wrecked clipper ship is beautiful. Very well done. 

[Vegaskip]

Thank you all for your comments.

Last year I was fortunate to be invited, along with my wife, to take part in 'Dervish75’ the celebrations commemorating the arrival of the first Convoy to Russia. We were part of a group of WW2 convoy veterans and their carers ( the Vets were all in their 90s) flown up to Arkhangelsk where we took part in various events in memory of those who were lost during the what Winston Churchill called 'The Worst Journey On Earth.'  We then moved on to St Petersburg and Kronstadt for more of the same. We shared all of these events and receptions at various consulates and embassies with our Russian hosts. We made many friends and shared lots of memories as sailors do, helped along of course with copious supplies of Vodka. A year before the trip I had been asked if I had any paintings of convoys that could be used as a small exhibition during the event. However this snowballed into 50 of my paintings being made up into a book ( printed in Moscow) 250 copies were printed and were given free to the veterans, VIPs, museums, schools and anyone who provided assistance to the venture. Each year reciprocal visits take place between Vets from Russia and UK and other allies.  Efforts are being made to continue these international visits after the original veterans are gone. 

Our governments may have 'frosty' relationships, but at the grass roots I know our Russian friends had exactly the same hopes and fears we have. We both want to get on with living life in peace and happiness.

jim

Here are some pages from the book 

 

[Vegaskip]

Battle for Grand Port, Mauritius (we lost) although shortly after this the British took Mauritius from the French
Google for details if interested 
14" X 10" watercolour

jim

Edited October 19, 2017 by Vegaskip

[Vegaskip]

Three square riggers

1  Fortuna.     2. Moshula and  Hougomont  3 Rajore

it would be nice to have a bit of interaction.

 Jim 

Edited October 19, 2017 by Vegaskip

[Landrotten Highlander]

Hi Jim,

it is quit clear to me that you have mastered the skills required to create beautiful paintings.

I enjoy the individual atmospheres you create, dispite the fact that your subjects are restricted to a single topic.  On a more technical note, the last two paintings have enabled me to understand and/or appreciate the tips I once received about using the structure of your canvas to help you with your story (looking at the waves and the way you suggest foam).

Thank you for showing us / letting us enjoy your talent (even if it is silently for the most part).

Slainte

L.H.

[pompey2]

Wonderful work Jim, I could look at these for hours.

Especially nice seeing settings I know.

You should be congratulated on not just the quality but also the quantity by the sounds of it.

Nick

[Vegaskip]

Thank you both for commenting, I probably have about a thousand, good bad and what ever.

here you are Nick. Recognise this place?. Reserve Fleet and redundend, waiting for scraping ships. At the back of Portsmouth Harbour. HMS Vanguard  running aground at the 'Still and West' while being taken away for scrap.

 

Edited October 19, 2017 by Vegaskip

[mtaylor]

Excellent work on the paintings.  Not just the subject matter but the atmosphere really gives a sense of being there.

[Mark P]

Hi Jim;

 

If I was at an exhibition of local artists' work,  and saw your paintings,  I would have to buy at least one to take home with me, and preferably more.  The only limit would be budget!

 

Lovely atmosphere in your work.

 

Keep on picking up that brush!

 

All the best,

 

Mark P

[Vegaskip]

Thank you Mark, thing is, galleries are not that keen to exhibit my type of paintings. You really have to have an interest in the sea and ships. This one for example isn't every ones cup of Tea. I called it 'Keeping The Few Flying' featuring HMCS CHILLIWACK.

Jim 

Edited October 20, 2017 by Vegaskip

[Vegaskip]

Something a bit more light hearted

imaginary Fleet Limbo Championships (Limbo was an anti sub Mortar)

 Here can be seen the esteemed pannel of judges.
Left to right.

Admiral Titas Zaduxass USN. CinC NorLantStanForFlatPac.

Admiral Sir Roddy McScunner of MacScunner RN, 9th Barron of Auchenshoogle Better Known to his men as ...Sir!.

Dame Euphrosney Pramhandle-Smith PMT. RPM, NSU,GNP, WRVS. Commandant WRNS.

The Ships Pennant No and Name plate had been painted over and covered up to protect the innocent.

[allanyed]

 Thanks for sharing, these are fabulous.

 

Allan

[Vegaskip]

Thanks for commenting Allan. Here's three more .

1 pursuit

2. Self Maintainence 

3. Age of Enlightenment

 

Edited October 21, 2017 by Vegaskip

[Blue Ensign]

I like your stuff Jim, you certainly have a talent for marine art, one of the more difficult genres I think.

 

Well done, and long may you enjoy your art.

B.E.

Edited October 21, 2017 by Blue Ensign

[Vegaskip]

Thanks for commenting BE,and all the others who 'liked'  the paintings.

jim 

[Vegaskip]

Here are some from a series of vignettes , small watercolour painting in the centre with pencil sketches around. 

A3 size approx 15" X 10"

jim

[Mirabell61]

Hi Jim,

 

I`m amazed of your talent and skill with those aquarel paintings, and would love to see more....

Well done !!

 

Nils

[Vegaskip]

Thankyou Nils. Here is one you might like.

SMS Thuringen and a typical Torpedo boat
Jim

[Mirabell61]

Thanks Jim,

 

lovely marine artist`s work....

 

Nils

[Vegaskip]

This afternoons effort

26/12/43Belfast illuminates Scharnhorst for Duke of York off the North Cape.

w/c 23" X 16"

Edited November 7, 2017 by Vegaskip

[Worldway]

I'm curious how long each painting takes.  You do incredible work and you have a huge portfolio.  How much time do you spend painting daily?  I love your work by the way.

[michaelpsutton2]

All I do are the "ship Portraits" and i am jealous. I wish i had your talent! Great work, thanks for sharing

[Vegaskip]

Hi guys, being retired I can paint more or less when I want (subject to domestic chore from 'she who must be obeyed). I normally paint for about 3 to 4 hrs in the afternoo, probably 2/3 times a week.

The Belfast pic started about 1.50pm, and I took the photo about 5pm, I'll probably have an other half hour fixing bits , the after funnel top is wrong, and horizon on the right needs lifting a bit. The longest painting I have done, was three afternoons and was a diptych of  'the Tail o' the Bank' on the river Clyde .

see pictures.

jim

Edited October 23, 2017 by Vegaskip

[Mirabell61]

Jim,

 

again, thanks so much for sharing your work, its a pleasure to explore the fine details, the light and shadow effects, the ships wakes, even the small crtew members in action and the colors of the sea...

Wunderbar !!

 

Nils