Now a Naval painting

Those who are familiar with my oil and acrylic painting will know that I usually confine myself to landscapes and land based historical scenes. However, I like to break out and challenge myself to do something different occasionally. This one is big - 6 feet by 2 feet, and is of an imaginary naval engagement. I call it "Running the Blockade, 1812".
Click to enlarge.

Here is a detail of the main engagement

The most prominent vessel and the two to its left are American merchantmen heading at full speed with the wind towards an unseen port, maybe somewhere on the Eastern seaboard of the USA. In the centre one of the smaller American frigates of about 22 guns  has intervened to protect their passage from interception by a Royal Navy brig, possibly not much smaller in weight of gunnery than itself. The brig has just tacked  to bring its broadside to bear, so the wind is about to give out from its bow sails ("in irons", as my local naval expert informs me).

For those who care about the technicalities it is painted on a deep edge box canvas so doesn't need a frame. I started the under-painting and planning out the vessels before Christmas. The sea was rendered in a base coat of acrylics bulked out with structure gel to give the waves a 3D effect (when viewing the original up close). Oil colours were then applied to sky and sea (in a thick impasto on the sea) and allowed to dry thoroughly for a couple of weeks. I resumed in the New Year and steadily worked on the main vessels in detail in oil, each one took about 2 days to complete. The rigging and other rope work is rather demanding - far worse than painting a 50 man battalion of model soldiers with cross straps! When I was happy with the ships I worked up the sky and sea again to give me the overall emphasis I wanted. And if you look closely you can  see my trademark birds just hovering behind the escaping merchant ship on the left - maybe they are searching for a tasty(!) snack of ship's biscuit.     I hope you like it.

This large painting would make a lovely addition to that big expanse of spare wall in your wargames room, lounge or hallway. Or it would look pretty impressive in corporate premises such as an office boardroom, hotel foyer or a pub/restaurant with a nautical theme. It is for sale at £550 plus carriage.  Please feel free to comment on this blog, or if you are interested in possible purchase please email me at chrisgregg@blueyonder.co.uk , I can send more information and photographs.

For those who haven't looked at my art web pages for some time they have been reorganised. The main landscapes and a couple of fairly cheeky paintings from "Tales of the Golden Head" can be seen here
Chris Gregg art main page
and the military paintings at
Chris Gregg Military paintings