Yacht & Superyacht Commissions
Your pride & joy, captured forever in oil — with unrivalled skill, detail & accuracy.
From a humble dinghy to a mighty J-Class, and everything in between.
Own a boat?
Ever thought about a painting of her? Or that it’d make a lovely present for a certain occasion, for someone special? A totally unique gift of the highest quality, of someone’s beloved yacht — how are they not going to like it?
No matter how big or small — whether a superyacht or a dinghy, a classic or modern (and anything in between) — I’ll capture your yacht in oil with unrivalled skill, detail & accuracy.
As well as the world’s biggest and most beautiful yachts — the J-Class, Metre Yachts & superyachts (both sail & motor) — I can also paint your boat. It doesn’t matter what sort of craft; if it holds special memories & connections for you, it’s sure to mean something and be that permanent reminder of happy times on the water.
If you’ve considered this in the past but didn’t know how to go about it, please get in touch — it may be more straightforward than you think.
Technical illustration training
The main part of my illustration course was technical illustration — giving me the skills, knowledge and accuracy to depict every element of a yacht to within fractions of millimetres. A level of accuracy unrivalled in the maritime art world at present, and something that resonates with sailors, who can be notoriously particular about anything related to their beloved yachts.
A few examples from my technical-illustration background — the same accuracy underpins every painting I produce today.
Very rough guidelines
My work is not inexpensive. It is very high quality — and therefore labour-intensive, taking a lot of time and painstaking work to achieve. These figures are based on what I’d deem an average amount of work; a more straightforward composition will reduce the quote accordingly.
Prices for smaller pieces can start from as little as £5,000 (around 14″ wide, depending on composition & complexity), but this rises significantly for larger pieces.
If you’re not happy with the result — you don’t pay.
*T’s & C’s apply.
There are many other artists who could do a sufficient job for less, and I’m happy to pass on recommendations of artist friends & colleagues. But for accuracy at this level, this is what it takes.
In their words
I came across Jamie’s work at the Royal Society of Marine Artists’ Exhibition in the Mall in the summer of 2022. I was looking for the right artist to paint my husband’s Oyster Smack, Primrose, as a gift for a big birthday. My husband loves detail and loved his boat (which he’d had to sell). Most paintings at the exhibition captured the feel and mood of being on the water, but not the boat itself. I’d almost given up hope when I discovered, tucked in a corner, a serene painting of a classic yacht anchored in a Cornish bay. At first I wasn’t sure about photorealism, but I decided it was the only way, as my husband would be picky about any painting that wasn’t accurate on the rigging or the sails. Jamie was fantastic to work with. He adapted his schedule to finish in time for my husband’s birthday in May 2023, worked with me to create the best image from a host of photos from our 2020 circumnavigation of the UK, kept me informed of progress, and wouldn’t let the painting out of his sight until he was completely happy with it. We were delighted with the result — it really captures the boat, and even the sailors on it, in a way a photo never could. It hangs in our living room and I enjoy it every day. I love it so much that one day I hope to commission a second, when my husband sells his 1911 Pilot Cutter, Cornubia.View the Primrose print →
I wanted a lasting visual memory of both the yacht and the extraordinary voyage we made to South Georgia in 2004. To me, painting is not only art but also a form of fine craftsmanship — much like the skill and dedication that went into building Shenandoah and the care that has kept her alive over the years. As a master of his craft, I approached Jamie Medlin, whose work I had long admired and of whom I already owned a painting. The creative process was fascinating, involving countless emails as we refined every detail in pursuit of authenticity and adherence to the voyage. The final addition was Shackleton’s bathtub, lashed on deck — we had actually recovered it from the abandoned whaling station and transported it to the museum at Grytviken, so I wanted it in the painting, and Jamie was kind enough to add it after the painting was finished. There’s a pleasing historical symmetry in the detail: Shenandoah herself may once have carried a bathtub on board — she certainly had a fireplace!View the print →
Before you get in touch
I’m passionate about painting and producing high-quality pieces that will be a permanent & treasured reminder of your beloved boat. It never leaves the studio until I’m happy with it. As the fussiest person ever — if I’m happy, I hope you should be too.
For a special occasion, please get in touch at the earliest opportunity — the process can take some time from initial discussions to completion.
There are other commitments too, including the RSMA Annual Exhibition every year, which can affect timings.
If it’s a last-minute thing, the diary can sometimes be moved around to accommodate urgent requests — but if this can be avoided, it would help me a lot!
Best not to have a stressed artist painting your picture!
Let’s talk
If a commission is something you’ve been considering, please get in touch to discuss possibilities — I’d be delighted to hear from you.
