Geoff Hunt

There is no more famous a vessel in naval fiction than HMS Surprise, the principal ship in Patrick O'Brian's much-celebrated Aubrey-Maturin series of novels. Yet, this 28-gun frigate also had an eventful real career serving in both the French and then the Royal Navies. It was captured from the French in 1796 and took part in the famous cutting-out action on the frigate HMS Hermione, which the Spanish had taken after a savage mutiny. In 1802, after the Peace of Amiens, HMS Surprise was decommissioned and delivered into the fictional captaincy of Jack Aubrey. This sumptuous new volume narrates the career of HMS Surprise in both her historical and her fictional roles and presents an all-embracing construction and fitting history. In addition to historical illustrations, maps, artifacts, and photographs, thirty-five paintings, some specially commissioned, have been contributed by Geoff Hunt, whose art graces the covers of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin novels. Fifty line plans have been drawn by the marine draftsman Karl Heinz Marquardt. This limited edition, slipcased hardcover contains a signed print by Geoff Hunt.

For the first time in paperback comes this Illustrated volume with over 150 paintings and sketches from the portfolio of one of the most celebrated marine artists of our time. His paintings of square-riggers, sea battles, and naval operations truly evoke the era of Nelson's Navy and those of its enemies during the "Age of Sail."

This beautiful book shows you how to tackle the special challenge of painting in watercolour with the aim of creating finished pieces of work onsite. With inspiring examples and clear techniques, it guides you through the practice, joys and pitfalls of painting watercolour outdoors. It particularly explains how to observe the strength of light, colour and ideas for composition that you find when working directly from the subject outside. The experience and enthusiasm of its author makes this book an essential read for every artist who wants to enjoy the excitement of painting en plein air.

This timely follow-up to Conway’s highly successful Marine Art of Geoff Hunt (2004) presents the considerable artistic output of Britain’s leading marine painter since 2003. This new volume is heavily illustrated with images ranging from large paintings to sketchbook drawings with text written by the artist himself. The new book reflects Hunt's developing career during a time in which he served a five-year term as President of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, worked on large-scale paintings such as the definitive Mary Rose,and also completed numerous outdoor sketches and paintings. The book is divided into six sections: 1. The Sea Painter's World, an introduction to the artist's studio work at Merton Place, London and his plein air work on the River Thames; 2. Home Waters; 3. The Mediterranean; 4. In the Wake of Nelson; 5. North America and 6. The West Indies and Beyond. This concept sets Geoff's work in a broadly geographical context, showcasing the artist's freer plein air style alongside the exhaustively researched maritime history paintings to which he owes his standing as Britain’s leading marine artist.

Geoff Hunt is known to millions of readers across the world as the artist responsible for the covers of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin novels, and more recently for those of Julian Stockwin's Thomas Kydd books. He is widely acknowledged to be one of the leading marine artists of his generation. More than a showcase of the versatility and creativity of his work, this book, written by the artist himself, also reveals its accuracy, through five key case studies that explain the initial inspirations, gathering of source material and often lengthy artistic progression that leads to the creation of a finished painting. The artist has selected over 150 paintings and sketches to illustrate his prolific career, painting techniques and influences, dividing them into sections on Nelson's Navy, The American War of Independence, illustrating the naval writers and the Modern Maritime Scene, which includes recent commissions from the commercial sector and yachting community.