red sailboat painting

Antique Sail Painting

1920s post-impressionist antique sail painting.

Oil, Canvas

Warren W. Sheppard "Serene Sail" , Circa 1925

Early 20th century victorian antique sail painting.

Anton Otto Fischer At Full Sail , Early 20th Century

19th century french french provincial antique sail painting.

Oil Painting dutch sail galleon in the Ocean

1860s realist antique sail painting.

Canvas, Oil

Mauritz Frederick Hendrick de Haas A Day's Sail in New England , Dated 1867

1890s academic antique sail painting.

Watercolor, Archival Paper

“Moonlight Sail” , Circa 1890

19th century antique sail painting.

Antonio Nicolo Gasparo Jacobsen The American Steam-Sailer St. Louis

1890s american impressionist antique sail painting.

Edward Willis Redfield "Sail Boats in Harbor" , 1898

Early 1900s english school antique sail painting.

Kershaw Schofield Full Sail . A Boat at Sea

1920s impressionist antique sail painting.

Felicie Howell American Female Impressionist St. David's Bermuda Sail Boat Race Oil Painting , 1928

Early 20th century antique sail painting.

Paint, Paper

Antique T. Baldasar Nautical Maritime Sail Boat Harbor Watercolor Painting 22"

Late 19th century swedish romantic antique sail painting.

19th Century Oil Painting of Swedish Coastline with Sail Boat in Moonlight

Mid-19th century french american classical antique sail painting.

19th Century Nautical Maritime Seascape Sail Boat

William Henriksen William Henriksen (1880-1964) - Framed Oil, White Sailed Windmill , Unknown

Early 20th century american victorian antique sail painting.

"At Full Sail" by Anton Otto Fisher

Late 19th century english victorian antique sail painting.

19th Century Seascape with Brig Under Full Sail

Antonio Nicolo Gasparo Jacobsen Portrait Of The Steam/Sail Ship The Prins Frederik Hendrik. , 1896

1850s american victorian antique sail painting.

Mid 19th C. Oil on Canvas Painting "A Two Mast Schooner Under Full Sail at Sea"

Paper, Oil, Board

William Lionel Wyllie WILLIAM WYLLIE Day's Catch - Fishermen Sail Boats Horse Windmill Holland 1900 , circa 1900

Charles Napier Hemy Making the Run for Home, Cornish Coast. Cornwall. Sail Fishing Boat. Pilchards. , 1915

Late 19th century victorian antique sail painting.

Edmund John Niemann English Yacht, Sail Boat and Steamer off a coast with stormy sky. , Late 19th Century

Early 20th century british victorian antique sail painting.

"At Full Sail" A Clipper Ship Watercolor by Montague Dawson

Mid-19th century dutch school antique sail painting.

George Willem Opdenhoff Sailing Vessels in Calm Seas Offshore - Sailboat Sail Boat 19th cent oil/panel , 19th century

1850s victorian antique sail painting.

John Lynn English 19th century portrait of the Clipper ship Crescent at sea in full sail , Circa 1850

19th century hudson river school antique sail painting.

John Bunyan Bristol Full Sail at Twilight by Hudson River School Artist J.B. Bristol (1826–1909)

Early 20th century american american classical antique sail painting.

Silver Leaf

American Oil on Canvas of Single Masted Schooner Yacht under Full Sail 20th Cent

Early 20th century american impressionist antique sail painting.

Watercolor, Pencil, Paper

W.K. Willis Schooners at Sail, Early 20th Century Maritime Watercolor Seascape , 1910-20

1920s american impressionist antique sail painting.

California Coast Landscape Marine Painting, Watercolor Painting Rocks, Waves , circa 1925

Early 19th century romantic antique sail painting.

Michele Felice Corne Pair of paintings - Two Children Playing , circa 1810

Late 19th century british victorian antique sail painting.

English Victorian Seascape Painting

1920s north american antique sail painting.

Clement Drew Marine Painting

1910s english school antique sail painting.

H. Samuel Teed Thames Dockland, Oil Landscape Painting, 1912 London

19th century american country antique sail painting.

Maple, Paper

American Watercolor "Wasp" Painting

1870s northern renaissance antique sail painting.

Oil, Wood Panel

Johan Adolf Rust Late 19th Century Oil Painting of Dutch Waterway Landscape , Circa 1870

19th century victorian antique sail painting.

Henry Dawson 19th Century river landscape oil painting of Colwich Hills , 1860

19th century oil painting landscape sailboat seascape textured expressionist , 1893

19th century land antique sail painting.

Narcisse Berchere Coastal Oil Painting with a Middle Eastern Minaret by Berchère , 19th Century

Early 20th century impressionist antique sail painting.

Antique Dutch School Oil Painting on Board, Seascape, Signed, Gold Frame

Ludwig Hermann 19th Century continental townscape oil painting of a busy harbour , 1863

Early 20th century post-impressionist antique sail painting.

Grace Paterson "View of Venice Canal" Orientalist & Impressionist Marine Oil on Canvas Painting , Early 20th Century

19th century realist antique sail painting.

David Fulton City Garden with Windmill Beyond - Scottish 19th century landscape oil painting , Circa 1890

19th century academic antique sail painting.

Francis Augustus Silva "Montauk Point Lighthouse" Antique 19th Century Academic Oil Painting on Canvas , Circa 1860

Claude Thomas Stanfield Moore Victorian Marine Oil Painting Busy Sunset Shipping Scene, boats in golden light , 19th century

1870s hudson river school antique sail painting.

William Edward Norton "Ship Portrait, " William Edward Norton, Seascape Maritime Painting, New England , 1876

Paul Emile Lecomte L'entree du port - Impressionist Landscape Oil Painting by Paul Emile Lecomte , c.1920

1910s italian modern antique sail painting.

Painting 'Vela' P. Fragiacomo, 1910s circa

Jacobus Cossaar London St Paul's from the Thames - Impressionist 1920s landscape oil painting , Circa 1920

1890s american victorian antique sail painting.

19th Century Painting of a Steamship, American

Henry Redmore 19th Century seascape oil painting of ships on the Humber Estuary , 1873

Mid-19th century english school antique sail painting.

William Gale (British) Prayer for Those in Peril at Sea, 19th Century English Oil Painting

1730s old masters antique sail painting.

Morning Gun - British Old Master naval marine seascape ships art oil painting , Circa 1730

George Stainton 19th Century seascape oil painting of fishing boats off a harbour early morning , C1880

Charles Picart le Doux Portrait of a Young Lady - Large Antique French Post Impressionist Oil Painting , c.1920

Walter Stuart Lloyd 19th Century river landscape oil painting of boats on a river , C1890

17th century old masters antique sail painting.

Jacob de Heusch (circle) Dutch Marine Shipping Seascape - Golden Age art Old Master oil painting boats , Circa 1690

Grant Tyson Reynard Fishing Boats in St Ives Harbor Cornwall. Early 20thC Impressionist Oil Painting

Peder Chr. Pedersen Danish Artist Peder Chr. Pedersen 1870-1950 Antique Oil painting Ship KOBENHAVN

Henri Duhem The Canal at Douai - Impressionist Landscape Oil Painting by Henri Duhem , 1921

Early 20th century expressionist antique sail painting.

Cardboard, Gouache, Paper

Jules Pascin Gouache Painting Jules Pascin Hand Signed Woman in Boudoir German Expressionism , c.1930's

Suzanne Demarest "Summer Day at Nice" French Beach Scene Impressionistic Oil Painting on Canvas , Early 20th Century

1670s old masters antique sail painting.

Abraham Storck Ships Heading to Sea - Dutch 17th century Old Master marine art oil painting , Circa 1670

Antique sail painting for sale on 1stdibs, how much is a antique sail painting, more ways to browse.

Red Boats at Argenteuil, 1875 by Claude Monet

Monet painted the town and surrounding area of Argenteuil through the 1870s and in each instant created pictures of beauty and harmony, which were often at odds with the reality of the moment. Although an adherent of en plein air painting, Monet carefully chose the elements he wanted to include and often finished his canvases in the studio.

There is no hint in his paintings of the pollution in the river at Argenteuil or the disarray of a town throwing everything into its industry. In Red Boats at Argenteuil ,1875, Monet has constructed the composition through the use of the boats, especially in the verticals of the masts Here again he uses contrasting colours through his blues and orange and reds and greens.

The canvas is alive with colour, while the depth of the water is illustrated through the purples and blues. The brushstrokes ore uniform through the water in their choppy style, but the sky is more broadly painted with blurring and merging colours, creating a very distinct contrast between the depth of the water and the translucence of the sky.

Impression Sunrise

San giorgio maggiore at dusk, water lilies, the artist's garden at giverny, the poppy field near argenteuil, the waterlily pond, the garden of monet at argenteuil, poppy field, tulip fields, women in the garden, cliff walk at pourville, the garden at sainte-adresse, garden path at giverny, waterloo bridge, water lilies: morning, rouen cathedral, woman with a parasol.

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Contre vent et marée... | « AGAINST WIND AND LOW TIDE... »

Paintings ,  47.2 W x 15.7 H x 0.8 D in

Olivier Messas

Harbor Life

Paintings ,  23.6 W x 31.5 H x 1.2 D in

Jelena Djokic

Prints from $84

Petit voilier marbré et or | "SAILBOAT GOLD & MARBLED"

Paintings ,  6.3 W x 11 H x 0.1 D in

Ensemble... "TOGETHER..." | SAILING SPIRIT 2022

Paintings ,  31.5 W x 31.5 H x 0.8 D in

L’appel de l’océan… “THE CALL OF THE OCEAN…” (2024)

Paintings ,  23.6 W x 35.4 H x 0.8 D in

À bon port... | « IN THE SAFE HARBOUR... »

Horizon de liberté... “FREEDOM...” | (SAILING SPIRIT 2021)

Paintings ,  70.9 W x 31.5 H x 0.8 D in

Course en mer... "RACE AT SEA" (SAILING SPIRIT 2023)

Paintings ,  39.4 W x 51.2 H x 0.8 D in

Prints from $49

Un soir d’été ... | “A SUMMER EVENING...”

Voiliers à l’horizon... IV « SAILBOATS AT THE HORIZON... IV »

Paintings ,  59.1 W x 19.7 H x 0.8 D in

Horizon d’été... | « SUMMER HORIZON... »

Jour de régate… “DAY OF REGATTA”

Paintings ,  39.4 W x 19.7 H x 0.8 D in

Aux premières lueurs du jour... | "AT SUNRISE..."

Paintings ,  39.4 W x 39.4 H x 0.8 D in

Les voiles de Saint-Tropez

Paintings ,  55.1 W x 55.1 H x 0.8 D in

White Sails (North Sea Regatta) (Featured)

Paintings ,  27.6 W x 27.6 H x 0.8 D in

Nelly van Nieuwenhuijzen

Prints from $69

Horizon d'éternité... "HORIZON OF ETERNITY" (2022)

Silence en mer... | "SILENCE AT SEA..."

Paintings ,  68.9 W x 23.6 H x 0.8 D in

Jeux de reflet... | « REFLECTION GAMES... » (2017)

Un air de printemps... | "AN AIR OF SPRING..."

Paintings ,  51.2 W x 15.7 H x 0.8 D in

changement de cap... "CHANGE OF DIRECTION..." (2024)

Paintings ,  23.6 W x 23.6 H x 0.8 D in

Prints from $51

Romance... "ROMANCE..." | SAILING SPIRIT 2022

Paintings ,  56.5 W x 44 H x 1 D in

Vahe Yeremyan

Prints from $40

Sunset in Marina di San Vincenzo

Paintings ,  13.8 W x 13.8 H x 0.8 D in

Dina Aseeva

Le temps d'un coucher de soleil... "WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN..."

Aurore... "DAWN..." | 40x120x2cm

Jour de régate... | "RACING DAY..." (2019)

Duo en mer... "THE TWO OF US AT SEA..." (2024)

Paintings ,  15.7 W x 19.7 H x 0.8 D in

Mettre les voiles.. "SAIL OFF INTO THE SUNSET..." (2024)

Paintings ,  19.7 W x 19.7 H x 0.8 D in

Rêverie... "DREAM" (SAILING SPIRIT 2022)

Paintings ,  47.2 W x 31.5 H x 0.8 D in

La voile rouge… “THE RED SAIL” (2023)

Paintings ,  23.6 W x 31.5 H x 0.8 D in

Paintings ,  20 W x 20 H x 1.6 D in

Sophia Oshodin

Coucher de soleil... "SUNSET..." (2023)

Paintings ,  51.2 W x 51.2 H x 0.8 D in

Les voiliers de l’aurore... | “THE SAILBOATS OF THE DAWN..."

Sailing away

Paintings ,  23.6 W x 19.7 H x 0.8 D in

Elena Ivanova

Prints from $240

Jeux de lumière et de reflet... | "LIGHT AND REFLECTION..."

À l’infini... | “INFINITY...”

Paintings ,  59.1 W x 11.8 H x 0.8 D in

Soft Seascape.

Paintings ,  15.7 W x 15.7 H x 0.6 D in

Viktoriya Filipchenko

Les mâts du soleil Levant... "THE MASTS OF THE RISING SUN"

Landscape with a Sail Boat

Paintings ,  3.8 W x 5.1 H x 0.1 D in

Vita Schagen

Morning in the Harbor

Paintings ,  48 W x 48 H x 2 D in

Alma Ramirez

Couleurs en mer... "COLORS AT SEA" (SAILING SPIRIT 2022)

Paintings ,  26.4 W x 33.9 H x 0.1 D in

OSCAR ALVAREZ

Prints from $100

Sailing the Caribbean

Paintings ,  51.2 W x 31.5 H x 1 D in

Cécile van Hanja

Prints from $61

Couleurs à l'horizon... "COLORS AT THE HORIZON..."

Anchored Boats in Sepia

Paintings ,  11 W x 14 H x 0.1 D in

Mark Rafenstein

Paintings ,  5.1 W x 7.1 H x 0.4 D in

Konrad Biro

Prints from $90

Paintings ,  15.7 W x 11.8 H x 1.2 D in

Anastasia Gehring

Les couleurs du printemps... | "THE COLORS OF SPRING... » (2019)

Les mâts de l’horizon... | "MASTS AT THE HORIZON..."

Paintings ,  19.7 W x 39.4 H x 0.8 D in

Le calme en mer... | "THE QUIET SEA..."

Paintings ,  31.5 W x 31.5 H x 0.4 D in

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Path in the Wheat at Pourville Painting

Sailing on the Sound Painting

The Cliffs at Etretat Painting

Cliffs and Sailboats at Pourville Painting

Zephyr Painting

Ahead of the Storm Painting

The Beach at Sainte Adresse Painting

Bainbridge Island Sail Painting

Outing Painting

Saturday Painting

Red Sail Day Painting

The Sailing Boat Evening Effect Painting

Sailing at Argenteuil Painting

Regatta at Argenteuil Painting

Poppies, Isles of Shoals, 1891 Painting

Captain's House Painting

Three Sailboats Painting

Al Fresco Painting

Gone Sailing Painting

Pink Lady Lilies by the Sea by Joyce Hicks Painting

Autumn Sail Painting

Seascape near Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, from 1888 Painting

Sailboat Bay Garden Painting

Golden Sea Painting

Moonlight Sail Painting

Enchanted by Poppies Painting

Sailboats on the Seine Painting

Safe Harbor Painting

Emerald City Twilight Painting

Golden Sunset Painting

Sailing on Puget Sound Painting

Boats Below the Pourville Cliffs Painting

Sea View by Edouard Manet Painting

Cape Cod Ocean Garden Painting

Elliot Bay Painting

Monte Carlo Painting

Sailboat on Malibou Lake. Painting

Children at Play on the Beach Painting

Oarsmen at Chatou Painting

The Port of Honfleur Painting

Harbor Faire Painting

October Sundown Painting

Passing By Painting

The Bonaventure Pine, from 1893 Painting

Boats below the Cliffs at Pourville Painting

The Little Branch of the Seine at Argenteuil Painting

Dancing Sailboats - Blue and White Artwork Painting

Sail Into The Sun Painting

Hughes House Painting

Seascape at Sainte Adresse Painting

Sail Away- Sailing At Sunset Painting Painting

Sailing Painting

Bold Quest - Coastal Art Painting

Sails along Rocky Shores Painting

Sea Spirit - Dark Blue Art Painting

Summertime Sails Painting

Greylock from Pontoosuc Lake Painting

Boats on the Beach by Claude Monet Painting

Sailboats, 1894 by Berthe Morisot Painting

Argenteuil by Claude Monet Painting

Zaandam Painting

The Yacht At Argenteuil, 1875 Oil On Canvas Painting

Maritime Regatta Painting

Blessing of the Tuna Fleet at Groix Painting

Towing a Boat Honfleur Painting

Port de peche, Vue de Fontarabie depuis Hendaye, 1895 Painting

Garden Cafe On The Elbe, 1902 Painting

The Seine at Argenteuil Painting

Abstract Sailboats Painting

The Black Cape Pramousquier Bay Painting

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Painting the Red Sailboat

"Gone Ashore" 12x16" Acrylic on Canvas by Richard Robinson

Boat at Urupukapuka Island, New Zealand

Paint this beautiful tropical scene with ease.

The boat sailed across the bay and anchored at our camping beach. It was the reddest red boat I've ever seen; so powerfully vibrant against the turquoise tropical water. I just had to paint it.

Join me in the video lesson to learn how at https://mypaintingclub.com/lessons/252-The-Red-Sailboat

Preparing the stage

Especially with acrylics it's great to have a base colour to work on so that the white of the canvas doesn't show through in the end. It also takes away the fear of the blank canvas.

Sealing the base

Paint (almost) stress-free with editable layers in acrylic. Simply wait for the layer to dry then seal it with a coat of gloss medium or similar.

When that's dry you can paint over top and not worry about making a mistake, because with a little water you can wipe it right off and try again without disturbing the base layer.

Getting the drawing right

Using a center line is key to getting boats right. Also use the envelope technique where you first lightly draw the rectangle that the boat fits inside.

Focus as much on the 'negative' shapes between the boat and that envelope as you do on the positive shapes inside the boat and you'll be nicely surprised with how well you can draw a boat. Just be patient with this step and keep checking those angles.

Spotlighting the background

Making this background quite dark is the key to making the beach and the water look really bright by comparision. Keep it simple without too much detail, especially directly behind where the mast and sails will be, so that it doesn't argue with that foreground detail - the centre of attention.

Building translucent water

A few things to keep in mind here in this the trickiest part of the painting:

• Paint that middle value base coat first in step one.
• Paint the darks next, including the cast shadow of the boat, making sure that's all soft-edged.
• Use a crisp synthetic dagger or angle brush with very fluid paint for those calligraphic reflections in the forgeound. Practice on scrap paper first.
• Now paint the blue sky reflections, strokes getting thinner, shorter, closer together and flatter as they approach the beach.

Make the boat pop!

Not an inflatable. Just pure punchy colour and a few crisp details. Use a mahl stick or ruler to steady your hand. Again, practice those thin strokes first on your palette or a scrap of canvas.

If you coat the previous layer with gloss medium first and let that dry you can always wipe off errant brush strokes with a little water.

Student Critiques

The red sailboat, acrylics with oil glazing, canvas, 40 cm x 50 cm

Artist: Elena Sokolova

Solid work, Elena. Looks great!

Red sail boat 12x15 oil on panel

Artist: Mark Price

Hey Mark, Great work here. Punchy colours. Nice interest in the background particularly with the trees. Beautiful vibrant colours in the water.

I'd just suggest you trim little off the bottom of the back of the boat, add a little shade to the mainsail and trim its reflection a little because, although it looks great with all the right colours and movement, it's grown too big for what it's reflecting.

Red Sailboat, 12 x 16 Oil

Artist: Louise Villegas

Hi Louise, good job with the drawing of the boat, the vibrant colours throughout and the painterly wet-in-wet brushwork.

I like that you've lightened the red in the back of the boat but it could stand being a little darker around the motor which should be blocking some light on that surface.

The reflection of the boat and sail could do with another try. Currently they're too light and too regular or pattern-like.

A helpful exercise for you would be to paint on a separate canvas a few of these watery reflections using just black and white paint, (after converting the reference image into black and white). That would take colour out of the equation for you for a while so you could just focus on the shapes and the values.

Every painting is practice for the next one. Enjoy the process!

Red Sailboat Acrylics and Oils

Artist: Nancy Newton

Hi Nancy, nice to see you doing this one. Your extra dark background has really made the light on the beach pop out - very tropical! Your colours in the water and boat are good too. Lovely calligraphic brushwork in the reflections - not easy to do and you gave it a sterling effort! You've scumbled it a bit in there though, leaving some of the wavy shapes less resolved that they could be. Still, very nice.

Last little thing, your wires on the boat should be angling up towards the top of the mast.

"The Red Boat" in acrylics by Eric Hillmer, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Artist: Eric Hillmer

Hey Eric, lots of beautifully painted engaging detail in this one. Lovely to see the camping situation brought to life and the crisp details in the boat. I'd advise removing the tent behind the mast as it competes with the foreground.

It looks to me like you lost your way in the water there whereas the rest of the painting is very well finished. To get a grip on this complex subject I'd recommend you do the same as Louise and paint a few studies of this section in just black and white. Works wonders.

The Red Boat - 9" x 12" Oils on Canvas Board by Fay Thomson

Artist: Fay Thomson

Hi Fay, I love your approach with this one. The colour is scintillating and your brushwork is beautiful and painterly. I like that you changed the composition and tried to balance the boat on the left with that long elegant dark reflection.

However, what is that a reflection of? That's the question it leaves me asking. You might have been better off using a squiggly line of sea foam instead.

Other than that hiccup, gorgeous!

This demo is in acrylics but it's fine for oils too.

I'll take you step by step through this whole rich process and you can choose which parts you'd like to try out in your own work. 

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

—Walt Disney

Learn About

• Painting stress-free with editable layers
• The best way to draw boats
• Building spotlight effects for more drama
• The 3 steps to creating translucent water
• How to paint with vibrant colour
• The 3 keys to painting finishing details

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10 Most Famous Ship Paintings

One of the most iconic painting niches in the world is that of ship paintings. For centuries, the world’s seas were dominated by various nations who sent trading vessels and warships out into the blue horizon.

Over many years, these ships became the lifeblood of the economies of certain countries like Portugal and Great Britain, their crews bringing and delivering precious cargo of all kinds.

Ships of all shapes and sizes have sailed the seas for more than a thousand years. The juxtaposition of a sophisticated man-made ship with the unpredictable and dangerous nature of the ocean and Mother Nature itself is part of what draws the admiration of so many art lovers and enthusiasts, especially along coastal regions.

Many artists throughout history have dabbled in producing works that featured ships and their legendary voyages on the high seas with some focusing solely on the subject of maritime travel. Here are some of the most famous ship paintings ever created.

Famous Ship Paintings

1. the fighting temeraire tugged to her last berth to be broken up   – j.m.w turner.

One of J.M.W. Turner’s most famous paintings involves a well-known warship that was the star of at least one iconic battle for the British Royal Navy in the 18th century. His work is titled The Fighting Temeraire Tugged to her last Berth to be Broken Up, a lackluster, but fitting description of the fate of this once feared vessel that was pivotal to the nation’s fleet of warships.

The painting was done in 1839 and depicts the final moments of the Temeraire as it is slowly tugged out to sea to be dashed and parted out.

The painting is from the Romanticism era and is an interesting contrast between the changing technologies that were happening in maritime shipbuilding and travel during the early 1800’s.

The majestic and once-famous warship, who played a major role at the Battle of Trafalgar, is now being dragged away from port by a lowly, steam-powered tugboat.

It is a sad reminder that a certain sense of elegance and grandeur is often lost in what many deem to be a progressive advance of technology.

2. A First Rate Man-of-War Driven Onto a Reef of Rocks, Floundering in a Gale – George Philip Reinagle

The early 1800’s is likely the height of the era of famous ship paintings. One of the most well-known maritime painters was George Philip Reinagle, who was well-known for his ability to capture the essence of the sea’s sometimes tumultuous character that had destroyed so many powerful, strong vessels throughout history.

His 1836 work titled A First Rate Man-of-War Driven Onto a Reef of Rocks, Floundering in a Gale is aptly-named as it features just that—a ship that has been caught in the clutches of the raging sea.

One of the most intriguing aspects of maritime travel was the possibility that sailors could meet a terrifying demise if they were caught in a blustering storm, otherwise known as a gale.

This painting is iconic for Reinagle’s ability to depict the giant, crushing force of the waves along with the sea spray that has been kicked up by the high winds. This work is a grim reminder that not all seafaring travel and adventure ends safely.

Many ocean paintings containing ships will invariably make the ship the main focus, but in Reinagle’s piece it is the power of the ocean waves that dominate.

3. Battle of Trafalgar 1805 – Louis Phillipe Crepin

Some of the most famous ship paintings involve intense, deadly battles at sea between powerful naval fleets. Such is the case with Louis Phillipe Crepin’s 1805 work titled Battle of Trafalgar.

This painting depicts one of the most famous naval battles in history that took place in the year noted.

The Battle of Trafalgar featured the mighty British Royal Navy as they were pitted against two other worthy opponents—the Spanish and French naval forces—who had joined forces to try and topple the powerful force that had dominated the waters surrounding Europe and much of the world during this time.

Crepin’s painting portrays, with great accuracy, the close-quarters combat that so often occurred in naval battles.

4. Snow Storm – Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth   – J.M.W Turner

As noted above, J.M.W. Turner was among the most famous artists who focused on the life and voyages of sailors and their ships.

Many times, these voyages were undertaken during powerful, unpredictable storms that all-too-often led to the ships capsizing and the entire crews being lost.

Turner’s 1842 work titled Snow Storm – Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth is one such painting that depicts the sea’s ability to make any vessel, large or small, feel the power of its might from time to time.

Also Read: Famous Lighthouse Paintings

The painting features the steam boat ship caught in a frigid snow storm , the wind sweeping and whipping in every direction as the ship struggles to stay on course and avoid succumbing to the massive waves.

According to many art historians, Turner went to great lengths to accompany various ships’ crews on their journeys so that he could paint his works as accurately as possible.

5. Becalmed off Halfway Rock   – Fitz Hugh Lane

So many of the most famous ship paintings ever created feature vessels that are either engaged in raging battles, or caught in powerful gales on the open ocean. However, there are a few notable works that depict the calm, serene nature of the ocean or coastal areas.

Fitz Hugh Lane’s Becalmed off Halfway Rock is one such work that depicts a scene of beauty that few people outside the world of ships and sailing ever get to experience.

This 1860 work depicts ships anchored down next to Halfway Rock, a famous sea marker that is situated approximately halfway between Boston and Cape Ann.

This marker was a popular stop for trading vessels and supply ships as they could join up with other ships and carry out various types of maritime business at a specific location.

Lane’s work features a number of ships anchored down with small row boats working their way from one to another, likely swapping various cargo and other items.

6. Dutch Men-O’-War and Other Shipping in a Calm – Willem van de Velde II

Willem van de Velde II was a painter who specialized in maritime art during his career in the late 17th century.

This was a time when sailing ships were the height of mankind’s technological achievements and the naval fleets of various nations were the most vital part of any military force.

Velde’s work titled Dutch Men-O’-War and Other Shipping in a Calm was created in 1665 and features the Dutch navy’s vast fleet of ships that include the deadly and feared Men-O’-War vessels.

These ships were known as floating fortresses who possessed the ability to mercilessly pummel opposing ships or coastal forts and cities with impressive precision.

7. The Home Fleet Saluting the State Barge – Jan van de Cappelle

The mid-1600’s was a time in which maritime travel was responsible for reshaping the people and nations of the world as many pilgrims and travelers ventured to the New World across the Atlantic Ocean.

Jan van de Cappelle captured one instance of significance from this time period in his 1650 work titled The Home Fleet Saluting the State Barge.

The painting depicts a number of different ships gathered together in a port to salute a prominent vessel as it embarked on its voyage.

Cappelle’s work is one of the most well-known ship paintings in history as he masterfully depicts the water’s ability to mirror the happenings above its surface with stunning detail.

8. Argenteuil (Red Boats) – Claude Monet

Claude Monet is celebrated as one of the most famous impressionist painters , but most of his work featured scenes from dry land instead of ships and maritime travel. However, his 1875 painting titled Argenteuil (Red Boats) is among one of the most recognized ship paintings ever created.

This work features Monet’s trademarked Impressionist painting style and depicts a calm scene that features contrasting colors that truly highlight the boats in the center of the canvas.

The smooth water appears almost like glass in its ability to reflect the boats and their towering masts.

Monet’s brushstrokes vary greatly when one focuses on the sky above the water and the boats, which are crafted with short, choppy strokes that are able to convey great detail.

9. Nelson’s Inshore Blockading Squadron at Cadiz – Thomas Buttersworth

The British Royal Navy was at the peak of its seafaring prowess across much of Europe and the rest of the world during the latter half of the 18th century.

The nation’s powerful fleet engaged in many battles along the coast of Portugal during this time as the two countries were locked in a bout to control the waters around coastal Europe and other parts of the Atlantic.

Thomas Buttersworth painted a work in 1797 that is a testament to a great naval battle for the British forces off the coast of Lisbon. Following the famous Battle of St. Vincent, rear-admiral Nelson and 10 bargemen were engaging in a raid on Spanish gun-boats under the cover of darkness.

The Spanish commander realized his boats were under attack and launched an effort to defend them with 26 of his own men. Despite the British being heavily outnumbered, they managed to kill 18 Spanish sailors and capture the remaining few after a bloody sword fight ensued.

Buttersworth’s painting is a testament to that incident that was a historical victory for the British Navy.

10. Breezing Up (A Fair Wind)   – Winslow Homer

One of the most iconic American paintings of all time was done by Winslow Homer, who was another artist that was well-known for his maritime paintings.

His 1876 painting titled Breezing Up (A Fair Wind) features a highly-detailed scene of a small sailboat cruising along on the waves as the sun is at the backs of the men and boys aboard the boat.

In the painting, the boat’s sail is clearly filled with what many would consider to be a ‘fair wind’ as it leans heavily toward the water while the boat’s rudder is steered toward their destination.

The painting is meant to depict a common scene from the late 19th century America as sailing was one of the most popular means of travel around coastal New England at this time.

The work is known for Homer’s masterful use of light and dark, along with the colors and how the sunlight brings out the depth in the varying hues.

How To Paint A Sailboat: A Complete Guide

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Whether you’re new to owning a sailboat or not, you have likely put some thought into painting your boat yourself. It is important to keep your boat well painted as it can save you a lot of money in the long run. It can also save you a lot of money if you choose to paint your boat yourself.

Whether or not this is the first time you have painted your boat, you will still find this article useful. It has lots of tips and tricks for making sure you get the job done and get it done well. Hiring a professional may be easier, but there is a sense of pride and accomplishment in doing it yourself. If you use this article as a reference, you can’t go wrong.

Table of contents

Why is it important to paint your sailboat?

Painting your boat is not just an excuse to put some creative flair into your boat, it is an important process in keeping the boat safe. Safe from salt, safe from barnacles, and safe from damage. The paint acts as a vital protective layer, without it your boat will be vulnerable to all kinds of damage. If you have a wooden hull, this protective layer will keep the wood from rotting. It can also plug any minuscule holes that might allow sea life and salt to make its way into the body of the boat.

There is also, of course, the added benefit of having a boat that looks good . A boat is a point of pride and should be treated as such. Having a glossy looking boat is something to be proud of. Most boats are not painted far above the waterline, so it is even an opportunity to make your boat stand out. Some people also believe that painting a boat brings good luck. Unless of course, you paint it green, green is thought to bring bad luck. Whether or not you believe that is up to you.

What are the benefits of painting your boat yourself?

When it comes to painting your boat there are only two options. Hire a professional boat painting contractor, or bite the bullet and do it yourself. They both have their pros and cons, of course, but there is so much more to be gained by doing it yourself. First of all, painting your boat yourself is just as fun as it is difficult. Learning to paint is a valuable life skill that you won’t regret learning as early on in your sailing career as possible. If you can learn to paint your boat now, you will save yourself a small fortune in the long run.

Hiring a contractor is expensive, to say the least, it may be faster and easier overall, but the extra cost can make it simply not feasible. Or simply unappealing. If this is the first time you are painting your sailboat you will need to make a one-off purchase of all the equipment needed for prepping, painting, and finishing the boat. After these one-off purchases are out of the way, you will only need to buy paint and new rollers the next time. Even if you need to buy all the equipment brand new, it can be cheaper than hiring someone else to do the job for you.

How often do you need to paint your sailboat?

The general rule of thumb for painting your boat is that it will need bottom paint about once a year. This is when you will need to take the boat completely out of the water and give it a fresh new coat. If your boat spends all of its time in the water, it certainly needs painting at least once a year. The saltwater is so corrosive that you shouldn’t let your boat go without a fresh coat of bottom paint for more than 2 years. Even if your boat only spends half its time in the water, and the other half on land, you will find that its best to keep its coat topped up.

The top paint, or the above waterline paint, doesn’t need painting anywhere near as often. It isn’t in direct contact with the seawater so it simply isn’t going to get eroded down as much. The salty sea spray can still be damaging over time so this paint should be re-done every 3 years. It can be more or less frequent depending on use and personal preference. Some people like to do above waterline paint yearly, with the rest of their boat, but it isn’t necessary.

What are the best paints to use for your sailboat?

There are plenty of great brands of paint out there, in various colors and shades, so you won’t struggle for choice. There are some things you might want to look for in your paint . For example, you may have noticed that a lot of boats tend to have red hulls. This isn’t just a fashion statement, and while red is supposed to bring luck this isn’t the main reason either. The reason is that this red/orange paint is perfect for added protection along the bottom of your boat.

This red/orange paint is interestingly chosen because it is, of course, traditional; but mostly because of its copper. The copper is actually what gives the paint its red/orange color.

Copper is perfect for the bottom of your boat for several reasons. First, copper acts as a biocide. It stops worms from making their way into the hull if your boat is wooden. If it is metal or fiberglass, it still has the benefit of stopping barnacles and other sea life from attaching themselves deep into the hull of the boat. Copper is also strong enough to hold up to scraping.

Scraping is when you scrape barnacles and other sea life off the hull of your boat. Scraping is an important part of keeping your boat in good condition. It is important to check with the marina or port authority whether or not you are allowed to scrape. If you scrape without permission you may find yourself on the receiving end of a hefty fine. The reason is that they don’t want you introducing invasive species on to the marina floor. This is mostly a problem when you are coming from somewhere vastly foreign, not sailing from New York to Chicago for example.

How many coats of paint does a sailboat need?

When painting your boat it’s a good idea to think about how many coats of paint you are going to need. There is no exact number that is needed, it is mostly to do with how well protected your boat needs to be and how much time you have on your hands. Every coat takes time and attention to detail.

If you choose to do four coats of paint it is going to be time-consuming but very well protected. That being said, the minimum number of coats is two. One is not enough. If your boat only spends part of the time in the water, two to three coats are plenty.

If you are someone who lives on their boat full-time, or at least most of the time, you may want to do more coats. Three, maybe even four, might be ideal here. The reason is that first, your boat is going to experience way more wear and tear than one that is just an ocean part-timer. And second, taking out your boat (which is also your home) is a giant hassle. It is a tedious process, so doing it as infrequently as possible is probably in your best interest. More coats last longer. When you are sailing from place to place, finding somewhere to take your boat out of the water and perform this maintenance is inconvenient. You want to be doing it as little as possible.

What safety precautions do I need to take when painting my sailboat?

All paint can be toxic when inhaled. Even if it is “non-toxic” paint it is going to be harmful to your lungs. They aren’t meant to inhale anything but air, even non-toxic paint is going to be bad for them. This is why it is important to wear a face mask.

Your mask should be specifically for painting, not surgical masks or other cheap medial masks. They are not going to be strong enough, with a fine enough air filter. Whether you feel the need to wear eyewear is up to you during the painting process.

Before the painting begins, when you are scraping and sanding, it is a good idea to wear some goggles to keep debris and splinters out of your eyes. It is also a good idea to wear gloves. You don’t want to rough your hands up too much, they need protection from not only the paint but splinters and sharp pieces of metal.

Painting a boat can be dangerous work. Without taking the proper safety precautions you are putting yourself at unnecessary risk. This safety equipment costs just a few bucks and is equally important as any of the other tools needed to paint your boat.

What tools do I need to paint a boat?

There is more to painting your boat than just using paint and a brush . You will also need tough sandpaper , potentially an angle grinder or welder , paint, primer , brushes, paint rollers , paint thinner , and solvent. You will need to make sure you have all of these things before you start painting. You can pick any of these items up at a boating goods store.

It is a good idea to bring some buckets with you for filling with water, both for rinsing off your boat and your brushes. All of your safety equipment needs to be brought too.

If this is your first time painting your boat yourself, you may find you need to buy all of these things at once. That can be a lot to stomach when its all in one go, luckily, most of these tools and equipment can be reused. Besides, it is still going to be far cheaper than hiring someone to do it for you. All of this equipment is an investment in your boat.

How to paint a sailboat

Whether this is the first time you have painted your boat or not, you may find some of the tips in this next section useful. Painting your sailboat may be tricky at first, but over time you will get the hang of it. The problem with painting your boat is that it can be a very expensive mistake if you get it wrong.

It is important to read this guide carefully, take your time, and make sure you do the job properly. It may be slow going at first, speed will come over time. Once you have gathered all of your safety equipment and tools you are ready to get started.

The workspace

First of all, you need to ensure you have the right workspace. You cant paint your boat in the water so you are going to need to find somewhere to do your work. This is easy enough if you don’t live on your boat full time, take the boat to your house and do your painting on the driveway. If this isn’t an option because you don’t have space or live on your boat full time, you are going to need to rent somewhere. There are typically places affiliated with the marina that you can use. In some cases, these even come with a majority of the equipment you will need. This, of course, drums up the price a bit, but that’s unavoidable.

Your workspace needs to be well ventilated, or you risk making yourself very sick. Both from paint fumes, rubbing alcohol fumes, and fine matter from when you sand the hull down. This means painting your boat in your garage, if it even fits, is not always the best idea. If you do decide to paint outside, it is important to consider the chance of rain. Of course, your boat is pretty waterproof, but once you begin sanding rain might damage the wood if left to sit there.

Before you do anything else, it is important to look your boat over fully from top to bottom. You are looking for any bumps, scrapes, cracks and general damage. This damage is not going to be noticeable while the boat is in the water, so just before you paint it is one of the only times you get to have a close look. Once you have made note of all this damage, it is time to get to work repairing it. Depending on just how severe this damage is, you may want to get help with this next stage.

All of this damage needs to be repaired before anything else can take place. Painting over these damaged areas is just going to hide the problem temporarily, the next time it comes to painting you will find they are far worse. If you don’t deal with this now, they are going to snowball into complicated and expensive repairs.

After your repairs are done it is time to start sanding. This is very time consuming as you need to do it three times. Per coat. First, take the 600 grit sandpaper and make your way around the boat. It is best to use electrical tape to mark out a section at a time so you don’t keep losing your place. After you have finished with the 600 grit sandpaper, it is time to move on to 800, then 1200. This process is important so you will be painting on as smooth a surface as possible. It is then a good idea to wipe the surfaces of the boat down with a damp cloth to remove any of the dust and flakes of metal/wood. Otherwise, you end up painting over them.

You could wash the boat down with a hose but you want to avoid getting the boat unnecessarily wet now that the hull has lost its protective layer. If you are sanding down a boat with a copper paint bottom, you may find the sanding process difficult. Just do your best, it doesn’t need to be 100% perfect. It is important to get as much of the old paint off as possible. Your new paint won’t adhere to the old paint as well as it would to the boat hull itself.

Putting on a layer of primer is not 100% necessary but it is recommended. The idea is that you want your topcoat to adhere to the boat as well as possible, a layer of primer can help you do that. The primer needs to be painted on evenly all over the boat. If you only feel like doing below the waterline, that is fine too. It will save you a lot of time. Putting on the layer of primer is not the most time-consuming part, it is mostly the sanding down that you will have to do. You will need to sand down using the 600 grit paper, then the 800, then 1200. Just like last time. Your layer of primer needs to be as smooth as possible for the maximum adhesion.

Now comes the paint. It is recommended to do at least two layers of paint. One undercoat and one top. Some people choose to go as far as two layers of primer, two layers of undercoat, and three layers of topcoat. This is going to be very time consuming, remember you will need to sand down three times between each layer of paint. You can paint using a brush if you like but is far easier to use a roller. It is also far easier if you employ someone to help you with this stage. It could be your spouse, child, friend, or anyone. It doesn’t need to be a paid professional. It can take a long time to go through this process. Especially if you are effectively doing 8 layers of paint (including primer).

The fastest way to paint, especially if you are on your own, is to use a sprayer. They are easy to use, with a little practice. If you haven’t used one before you may find that you struggle to get an even coat. You should always paint in vertical stripes, not horizontal. Additionally, it is a good idea to have someone following after you with a small brush doing small touch-up jobs. Any unevenness will need to be sanded down and repainted. The whole painting process can take a week if you aren’t efficient.

Take pictures

It is a good idea to take pictures throughout the whole process. This is for future reference. For example, if you take pictures of the boat when you are assessing it for damage, you can compare them to after you have repaired or sanded the trouble spots down. If you cant see the trouble spots still, great! If you can, it will help you keep an eye on them after you have painted too. It’s a good idea to catalog all of these areas if they start to become regular problems you may want to have your boat looked at by a mechanic. You might also like to have a before and after picture for your blog, or just as a personal memento.

Hopefully, you now have all the theory needed to paint your boat. There is a lot more that goes into painting your boat than simply grabbing some paint and a brush. It takes planning, practice, and attention to detail. If you follow this guide you will have no trouble at all. If this is your first time painting your boat, don’t be disheartened if it takes a lot longer than you expected. Speed will come with time, it is far more important to get the job done right than get it done quickly. If you put the work in you will be painting like a pro in no time at all.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Moscow. Red Square

Oil on canvas

20.3 × 19.5" (51.5 × 49.5 cm)

Moscow, The State Tretyakov Gallery

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