Blockade

A second piece in my World War One maritime series is now complete. I wanted to capture mood and texture rather than make it a straight ship portrait, so I chose a wave top view from a distance.

The subject is the British Grand Fleet in the North Sea. The presence of a large fleet of British warships in the North Sea prevented German maritime trade for the duration of the war and kept the German High Seas Fleet bottled up in harbour for almost the entire war.

Blockade, The Grand Fleet in the North Sea 1916

Jutland

It can't have escaped many people that 2014 is the centenary of the start of World War One. There will be many poignant commemorations to come in the next four years as key events of the war are remembered.

I have been working a few ideas around the Battle of Jutland, the last major battleship fleet action in history. Most of the Royal Navy's 28 battleships were involved.

After a spot of research I chose to create a view from the Flagship HMS Iron Duke as the 4th Battle Squadron opens fire on the German High Sea Fleet Late afternoon 31 May 1916

Opening the Account, 4th Battle Squadron Jutland 1916