Marine Art - Resources for Artists
An introduction to marine art
This lens provides information and advice from various websites for artists wanting to understand and draw and paint marine subjects, seascapes and waterscapes.
Topics covered include:
- definitions and categories of 'marine art';
- links to museums, art galleries and exhibitions of marine paintings;
- links to marine art societies
- books about the history of marine art and how to paint marine art;
- links to tips and techniques for drawing and painting marine subjects and
- leading marine artists - past and present
New links are being added added on a regular basis.
Image: Low Tide at Tanah Lot, Bali by Katherine Tyrrell, (Pastel 19.5" x 25.5")
copyright - all rights reserved
What is marine art? - About marine, nautical and maritime art
Marine art is an art genre which was particularly popular from the 17th to 19th centuries - but is still very popular today - particularly in relation to marine communities. It's also called Maritime Art or Nautical Art.
It covers any form of figurative art (ie painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture) that portrays or draws its main inspiration from the sea and or ships and involves marine and/or tidal waters.
The maritime theme can include the sea itself, the coast and seaside, ships and sailing craft, beaches and wildlife, portraits and people, history, or anything else that goes with the sea.
Ships and boats can be naval, commercial or for leisure; use sail or steam and be historical or present day.
- The Marine Art Information Center
The focal point for marine art on the WWW. Informationon maritime art: auctions, galleries,history, photography, reference materials and museums - Nautical art sets sail; this classic genre is anchored in tradition but has begun sailing in unchart
Art Business News, June, 2002 by Lisa Crawford Watson
Marine means.....
Chambers definition of 'marine'
marine
adjective
1 belonging to or concerned with the sea eg. marine landscape.
2 inhabiting, found in or obtained from the sea eg. marine mammal.
3 belonging or relating to ships, shipping trade or the navy marine insurance eg. marine architect.
4 done or used at sea eg. marine compass.
See also maritime.
noun 1 (often Marine)
a a soldier trained to serve on land or at sea;
b a member of the Royal Marines or the US Marine Corps.
2 the merchant or naval ships of a nation collectively. tell that or it to the marines colloq an expression of disbelief and ridicule.
ETYMOLOGY: 15c: from Latin marinus, from mare sea.
Maritime means......
Chambers definition of 'maritime'
maritime
adjective
1 belonging or relating to the sea or ships, sea-trade, etc eg maritime communications. See also marine adj.
2 said of plants, etc: living or growing near the sea.
3 said of a climate: having relatively small temperature differences between summer and winter.
4 said of a country, etc: having a sea-coast.
5 said of a country, etc: having a navy and sea-trade eg a maritime nation.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c: from Latin maritimus of the sea, from mare sea.
Nautical means.....
Chambers definition of 'nautical'
nautical
adjective (abbreviation naut.) relating to ships, sailors or navigation. nautically adverb.
ETYMOLOGY: 17c: from Greek nautikos, from nautes sailor.
Marine Art History
Marine Art & Seascapes in Art Galleries and Museums
Leading art galleries and museums in the UK and USA have significant collections of traditional marine art
- National Gallery, London - Marine Art
Marine Art in the National Gallery, London - National Maritime Museum - Art and the Sea
The art of the sea is an art of the modern era: of expanding cities, international power and wealth creation. - Maritime Art Greenwich
Maritime Art Greenwich is a learning resource combining subject expertise and the National Maritime Museum's oil painting collection. - National Galleries of Scotland - Seascapes
Seascapes in the National Galleries of Scotland - NGA: Themes in American Art: Marine Painting
A National Gallery of Art resource on themes in American Art. - Discover Your Maritime Heritage | National Maritime Museum Cornwall | Discovery Quay, Falmouth, Corn
To promote an understanding of boats and their place in people's lives, and of the maritime heritage of Cornwall.Includes a collection of pictures of the maritime history of Cornwall - National Maritime Museum Cornwall | Discovery Quay, Falmouth, Cornwall
Index of some of the featured paintings of Cornish maritime history
Notable Marine Artists in History
These include the famous painters from the golden age of maritime art
- Biographies A-Z
National Maritime Museum - biographies of maritime artists - A Historical Overview of Marine artists
A Historical Overview by J Russell JinishianMr Jinishian was director of Mystic Maritime Gallery, America's largest gallery specialising in marine art, from 1985 to 1995. He now operates a private gallery and lectures widely on marine art. This is an - Biography of Hendrick Cornelisz Vroom
National Maritime Museum - Biography of Hendrick Cornelisz Vroom (1566-1640)Dutch marine painter. The founder of Dutch marine painting, Vroom introduced the marine subject to western European painting as an independent genre. - Biography of Simon de Vlieger
Biography of Simon de Vlieger (circa 1600-1653)Dutch artist whose reputation rests mainly with marine paintings. In his marine paintings, the imaginary views of beaches and ships in a calm, depicted in monochrome tones in the manner of Jan Porcellis, - Biography of Willem van de Velde, the Elder
Biography of Willem van de Velde, the Elder (1611-93)Dutch marine painter and draughtsman. Born in Leiden, he was active in Amsterdam and from 1672/73 in London, where he later died. The son of a seaman, he gained his raw material through direct obse - Biography of Willem van de Velde, the Younger
Biography of Willem van de Velde, the Younger (1633-1707)One of the best-known and most influential Dutch marine painters, active in England from 1672/73. He was born in Leiden to a family of artists; his father Willem van de Velde the Elder was a ma - Biography of Charles Brooking
Biography of Charles Brooking (1723-59)English painter, born in London. Brooking was probably self-taught but was none the less the finest English marine artist of the mid-century. - Biography of Dominic Serres, the Elder
Serres recorded the naval events of the Seven Years War (1756-63) - most notably the capture of Havana in 1762, in a series of 10 paintings in the National Maritime Museum, London - and of the American War of Independence (1776-83), working for a pre - The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Special Exhibitions: Thomas Eakins
Esteemed for his powers of characterization and mastery of technique, Thomas Eakins (1844-1916) is recognized as one of America's foremost painters, a master draftsman and watercolorist - Art and Sea
The new interactive marine artists dictionnary, with biographies, pictures and links. Plenty more info, blog, forum, classified
Contemporary Marine Art
Societies for Marine Artists
There are art societies for artists involved in marine art all over the world. While not exclusively male this does seem to be an art genre which is dominated by male artists
- The Royal Society of Marine Artists
The Society was founded in 1939 and is widely recognised for being the focal point for much of Britain's finest marine art. The RSMA currently has an active membership numbering 51.The Society's common theme is the sea, and Members work is as wide an - American Society of Marine Artists
The American Society of Marine Artists was founded in 1978 as a non-profit, tax exempt organization, whose objective is to recognize and promote marine art and history, and to encourage cooperation among artists, historians, marine enthusiasts and ot - Australian Society of Marine Artists
Australian Society of Marine Artists promoting maritime art in Australia. Membership is open to Australian citizens and residents of Australia. For artists, entry to Membership is by selection only. - Canadian Society of Marine Artists
The Canadian Society of Marine Artists is a not-for-profit non-profit administered by the Archives and Collections Society and is dedicated to Canadian maritime art promotion, conservation, exhibition and education - International Society of Marine Painters.
ISMP's purpose is to unite artists in fellowship and to combine their efforts in the advancement of marine and maritime art. - The Wapping Group of Artists - Home Page
The Wapping Group was formally founded in1946 and initially met to record the busy life of London's dockland. This companionable band of just 25 dedicated and capable painters maintains the original Group aims of fellowship and enthusiastic recording - International Society of Marine Painters.
ISMP's purpose is to unite artists in fellowship and to combine their efforts in the advancement of marine and maritime art.
Marine Art Society Exhibitions
Links to articles and blog posts about exhibitions of marine art and exhibition reviews. These include images from the exhibitions
- The Royal Society of Marine Artists - Annual Exhibition
The Annual Exhibition of the RSMA is held in October and is open to work by non-members.Entries from non-members are welcomes and every year there are hundreds of works submitted for consideration by the Selection Committee and those selected are hun - Silver Anniversary (25th Annual) Exhibition
The Silver Anniversary of the Society of the Canadian Society of Marine Artists, opened with a Gala evening, Friday 2nd May 2008. This spectacular show of fifty-three new works by the CSMA and invited artists will be exhibited through 22nd of June. - Mystic Seaport: Maritime Art Gallery - Annual Exhibition
Award Winners28th Annual International Marine Art ExhibitionClick the image to find out more about the painting and the artist who won the award - Making a Mark: REVIEW: Royal Society of Marine Artists - 65th Annual Exhibition 2010
This year's exhibition once more features the work of some of best marine artists working today. Both members and non-members have been out on the water, under it, alongside it and scouring coastlines for new subjects whilst all the time relating the
Contemporary exhibitions of art relating to the sea and coast
- Richard Hagen - Fine Art Gallery - Around Britain's Coastline
Around Britain's Coastline 7 - 21 June 2008Includes art by George Birrell, Gordon Bryce, David Curtis, Norman Edgar, Mary Fedden, Terry Frost, James Fullarton, Sasha Harding, Charles Jamieson, Paul Murray, Margot Perryman, David Rust, Charles Simpson - Around Britain's Coastline - Richard Hagen - Fine Art Gallery
Richard Hagen specialises in contemporary British art. Around Britain's Coastline 9 - 23 June 2007
Notable Marine Artists - UK
Leading Maritime Artists in the UK
- The Royal Society of Marine Artists - Members Gallery
This page illustrates work by Members of the RSMA and illustrates the wide variety of subjects painted that nevertheless relate to the sea. To see any individual image enlarged, just click on the picture. - Marine Art Geoff Hunt
Marine Art by Geoff Hunt President R.S.M.A., painter of the covers of the Patrick O'Brian books. - Paul Banning RI RSMA AROI
Paul Banning RI RSMA AROIMarine Paintings in watercolour and oil - David Curtis ROI, RSMA
David Curtis - Member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Society of Marine Artists. Oil Paintings and Watercolour paintings. - Robert Lloyd Marine Artist
Robert Lloyd is a Marine Artist with a worldwide reputation for producing visually stunning and technically accurate paintings for the Marine Industry, Private Individuals and Museum collections. - Bert Wright PPRSMA FRSA Marine Artist
Bert Wright PPRSMA FRSA is Past President of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, President of the prestigious London Wapping Group, President of the Ealing Art Group and a member of the Chelsea Art Society. - Sheila Macleod Robertson RSMA
Sheila Macleod Robertson RSMA, artist in oil by knife, of Scottish and Cornish marine landscapes. - David Curtis ROI RSMA
David Curtis - Member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Society of Marine Artists. Oil Paintings and Watercolour paintings. Artist and author of a number of art instruction books and DVDs - Seascape paintings by James Bartholomew RSMA
Seascape paintings by James Bartholomew RSMA.The sea and British coastline have been my main source of inspiration for many years now with bodies of work from Cornwall, Pembrokeshire, Western Scotland, the Western Isles and St Kilda. - Keith Noble RSMA
Keith Noble RSMA - artworks past and present; news of forthcoming events or galleries he will be participating in, including the RSMA, Royal Society of Marine Artists held at the Mall Galleries in London
BOOKS: British Marine Art
Primarily a showcase for the work of the Royal Society of Marine Artists. 164 full colour plates of paintings by RSMA members, mostly full-page, including oils and watercolours.This is reprint of a 1996 edition
Notable Marine Artists - USA
- Donald Demers FSMA - J. Russell Jinishian Gallery, Inc.
Donald Demers is a "fellow" of the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA), a member of the Guild of Boston Artists, and has won a record 15 awards at the Mystic International Marine Art Exhibition, Mystic, CT since 1982. His marine paintings have - Michel Brosseau - Eisenhauer Gallery of Edgartown, MA
Recently published in American Art Collector magazine Michel Brosseau's work is dedicated to easel paintings on sea-side themes, in which he lays a graphic and contemporary look, taking the subject out of anecdote and simple representation. He is a F
BOOKS: American Marine Art - books on Amazon
The history of America is largely a history of the sea. This marvelous book features a selection of more than two hundred of the finest objects from Mystic Seaport that tell the history of America and its maritime heritage. Presented with accessible texts and beautiful reproductions are masterpieces of maritime painting, exquisite photographs of classic yachts and powerboat races, and diverse prints and watercolors. Unique examples of American folk art-yarn paintings, reverse paintings on glass, sailors' valentines, shadowbox ship models, and ships in bottles-are also explored in detail, along with watercraft, scrimshaw, ship figureheads, and silver yachting trophies.Essays written by distinguished experts describe the individual forms of expression, discuss the artists and craftsmen, and offer commentary on the ways in which America's maritime history is interwoven with its economic development and cultural history. Elegantly designed and lavishly produced, "America and the Sea "offers intriguing new evidence of the indisputable relevance of maritime history to American life and art.
Provides a color reproduction of one work by each of the 64 artists featured in the 11th annual exhibition of the American Society of Marine Arts, which was held in 1997. Works are accompanied by artists' statements.
Bound for Blue Water is written and complied by J Russell Jinishian, an internationally recognized authority on contemporary marine art. Informative essays on fishing , commerce, yachting, military, and coastal marine art are written for the beginning enthusiast and the experienced collector alike. Leading artists bring to life a picture of maritime America from the ports of New York and New England, to Miami, New Orleans, San Francisco and the Northwest. Portrayed here is every waterborne vessel from clipper ships and classic sailing yachts to early-twentieth-century seiners of Gloucester Harbor : from Hudson Bay and NewEngland whaling ships to tugs and ocean liners of the twentieth century; from Boston's bustling T-Warf , to brigantines in the U.S Exploring Expedition. Highlighting key movements and artists, this is the book that collectors and enthusiasts have been waiting for.
Notable Marine Artists - Australia
- Don Braben FSMA - Maritime Paintings of Distinction
Don Braben FSMA is an internationally known marine artist based in Brisbane . Don paints many aspects of the sea, ships and docks, both historical and contemporary using oils, watercolours and acrylics.
Marine Art Blogs
Blogs by marine artists and galleries focusing on marine art
- Landscape and Marine Painting Blog
All artwork Alistair Butt ARSMA - Sarah Wimperis - The Red Shoes
Sarah Wimperis paints the Cornish coastline, rivers and boatyards. She's a gallery artist with the Beside the Wave Gallery in Falmouth - Beside The Wave - the Gallery blog
This is the Blog of Beside The Wave, Cornwall's leading gallery specialising in contemporary landscape art. Here you can find out about the gallery artists and their art and what goes on behind the scenes of one of Cornwall's most established galleri - The Cycling Artist - In the studio, on the shore
I'm an American London-based artist painting the English seaside from an ongoing cycle journey around the coast. - Marine Art Gallery
a blog about marine art and maritime artists - Marine Oil Paintings
This blog is intended as a reference resource for seascape painters (particularly those working in oils) and for art lovers. It's a mix of nautical/maritime art, seascapes and coastal scenes, both old and new.
Maritime art dealers
- J. Russell Jinishian Gallery homepage
J. Russell Jinishian,America's Leading Authority on Contemporary Marine Art.Recognized as the USA's leading specialists in 19th, 20th, and 21st century marine art from America and Europe. Paintings, Drawings, Sculpture, Scrimshaw, Ship Models. Locate - Maritime Prints - Nearly 150 images of the nautical scene of the period 1800 - 2000
Welcome to Maritime Prints. We specialise in producing small numbers of Limited Edition prints of rare pictures (watercolours, etchings and oils) of maritime interest of the late 1890s-1950s by artists who are, without exception, extremely well known - Art Marine. Limited edition prints and paintings by marine artists.
Limited edition prints and paintings by marine artists including Geoff Hunt RSMA, illustrator of the covers of the Patrick O'Brian Aubrey/Maturin novels
Marine Art Auctions
- Maritime Pictures | Sale Departments | Christie's
Currently the market leader for Maritime Pictures, Christie’s holds two dedicated Maritime sales a year in London (in May and November). Christie's Maritime Pictures sales feature paintings, drawings and watercolors from the 1600 through to the prese - Marine Art Auction Department | Sotheby's
Sotheby's Marine Art Department presents its upcoming auctions and auction results, online catalogues, and specialists insights. - Fine marine art auctions: Bonhams
Marine painting and picture auctions - plus valuations for sale/auction.Bonhams normally two marine art auctions a year which are held in January and August. Catalogs and results are on line. - Rivercraft and Maritime Art Auctions: Bonhams
Auctions also include rivercraft
Painting Traditional Ships
Nautical Art and the Tall Ships - painting traditional ships
- Nautical art sets sail; this classic genre is anchored in tradition but has begun sailing in unchart
Nautical art sets sail; this classic genre is anchored in tradition but has begun sailing in uncharted waters from Art Business News provided by Find Articles at BNET
BOOKS: The Tall Ships - books from Amazon
Geoff Hunt is currently President of the Royal Society of Marine Artists. His paintings are to be found in museum collections in the UK and USA and in private collections world-wide, including the Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth. His studio is on the site of Admiral Nelson's home in Merton Place, Wimbledon.Presents over 100 paintings and sketches by Geoff Hunt, known to readers across the world as the artist responsible for the covers of the Aubrey-Maturin novels. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Five world-class marine artists exhibit some of the most breathtaking paintings of ships ever published, in huge, oversize, full-color gallery-quality reproductions. Along with the gorgeous art comes the artists' own descriptions of their subjects and explanations of how they executed their work. The term "tall ships" calls to mind the majestic beauties that graced America's Bicentennial, but this collection also features paintings of such immortals as the Bounty, the Pinta and the Nina.
This beautiful book features paintings by one of the foremost marine painters working today. Over more than thirty years Roy Cross has created a volume of work celebrating the peak of the development of the naval and merchant sailing vessel, for the late eighteenth to the late nineteenth centuries. This book is the first review of Roy's marine paintings to be published. Dozens of his best paintings are showcased in full colour and accompanied by detailed captions giving historical information on each of the vessels featured.
How to Paint Water and Boats
Links to information and advice for those wanting to learn more about how to paint marine art - including water, ships and boats
BOOKS: How to paint water
Water is a fascinating yet challenging subject to paint. It changes forms, moods, shape and colour as the surrounding influences are altered.This book helps you to: learn how to paint water in all it's forms so it can used as part of landscape and still life paintings; observe the motions of water to master this ever-changing subject; and, through careful observation, understand waters actions and reactions, how it reflects and refracts light, and, how it moves and much more.
For both beginners and advanced painters, water can be one of the most popular but least understood of elements. In this instructive guide, author and artist E. John Robinson shows the secrets of painting water, its special properties, and the limitless ways it can be used in paintings of all mediums. Readers will discover how to use water to convey mood, to capture the effects of wet streets and mud puddles, and to portray fog, ice, and water's reflective qualities. They'll also learn how to paint creeks and lakes, rivers and waterfalls, harbours and the ocean, weaving sunlight and shadow into all their water scenes to create works that flow with life.
This is not a conventional instruction book. It provides a hundred different perspectives by different artists on specific topics associated with painting water. Each interpretation is accompanied by valuable firsthand feedback from the artist, including the colours and brushes used, along with the artist's methodology, challenges, and motivation. Readers will also find suggestions and exercises from the painters.The Amazon rating relates to buyers who were looking for a more conventional instruction book.
In clear, simple-to-understand terms Joe Francis Dowden clearly illustrates all the techniques that are needed to create different types of water. Using a series of practical step-by-step demonstrations, he illustrates how to paint puddles, shallow water, rippling rivers, white water, a seascape and more. Some reviewers think he is better at calm water than explaining how to portray the movement of the sea. Each stage has helpful tips and information on composition, perspective, capturing tone, colour, texture and detail.
BOOKS: How to paint marine scenes
Seascapes have long been a source of fascination for artists, inspired by the immense skies, surging waves, and bustling ports. Painters who want to capture stunning seascapes for themselves will find this invaluable guide inspiring and practical. It offers innumerable tips on technique, including those for tackling the sky, sea, coastline, ports, boats, and composition. The second section of the book follows six well-known painters through every stage of one of their works, providing an insight into the diverse approaches that different artists adopt, as well as their favored settings and subject matter. Finally, a useful gallery showcases the finished paintings, along with information about the artist and how he or she created the canvas.
The first painter's manual to cover such a wide variety of maritime subjects, this book by a noted artist and teacher offers invaluable instruction on portraying everything from docks and fishing villages to ships and a rocky coastline. Useful tips on perspective and reflections. 127 black-and-white illustrations; 11 illustrations in full color.
12 artists explore various aspects of the sea and ships. Offers tips on drawing boats and water, using light, building a composition, and creating such effects as textures and reflections.
Frank Germain shows you how to re-create a variety of intriguing seascapes in watercolor. He explains methods for creating special effects as he demonstrates his own method of developing a painting, step by step. You will learn how to paint essential seascape elements, such as skies, rocks, sand, and even sea birds. And additional tips that explore watercolor painting materials and color theory will help you use the watercolor medium to its fullest potential.
Information for marine artists
References sites for those interested in information about maritime art and the people associated with it
- The Marine Art Information Center
The focal point for marine art on the Internet.Information on maritime art: auctions, galleries,history, photography, reference materials and museums - Naval Biographical Database
Naval Biographical Database provides detailed information on people, places, ships and events associated with the Royal Navy since 1660. - Marine Art Quarterly. J. Russell Jinishian Gallery, Inc.
MARINE ART QUARTERLY - Port Townsend School of Maritime Art • Port Townsend, WA
The Port Townsend School of Maritime Art teaches drawing, painting and photography in a workshop setting, with local and visiting artists in a maritime environment.
Pastels and Pencils - Waterscape Paintings by Katherine Tyrrell - Original fine art drawings of views of water by Katherine Tyrrell in soft pastels and coloured
Tanah Lot, Bali (Pastel 19.5" x 25.5")
Pastels and Pencils - Waterscape Paintings by Katherine Tyrrell
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Comments and Suggestions - Let me know what you think
AUTHOR@anonymous: Thanks for the noteThis is Jeff's website http://www.jeffeldredge.com/
I am saddened to announce the passing of one of the finest marine artists in the world. The ship came in for Jeff Eldredge of Middleboro Mass. during the Christmas holidays.His ancestors journyed here on the Mayflower. He spent his life involved in every phase of the nautical world and he created an abundace of wonderful paintings. Truly a native son.
- AUTHOR
@Lady Lorelei: It would indeed! Mermaids are always welcome as are sailors! ;)
I guess then that this would be the perfect art form for a mermaid to enjoy.
Here's a link for you...a new maritime art school in the beautiful seaport of Port Townsend, Washington. www.ptsmarts.com. We build customized art and tour packages for individuals and groups, as well as offer classes with local and visiting artists.
- AUTHOR
@anonymous: Thanks - I've not come across that site before
I love the colors and texture in the Tyrell seascape pastel above, great lens also, so much information. Thanks so much for sharing the knowledge...:)rjwr
Wonderfully comprehensive selection of marine art! Sea paintings are among my favourite when it comes to art (especially Cornish seascapes) and you have links to some great sites here. Loved looking through James Bartholomew and Sheila Macleod's work.
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