The Marine Art of Geoff Hunt: Master Painter of the Naval World of Nelson and Patrick O'Brian (Maritime) Paperback – August 1, 2008

I bought this book as a gift. My father has been a tall ships enthusiast for over 50 years. He has enjoyed looking at all the illustrations over and over. This has been a wonderful purchase!

This book is very accessible and the prints are large and well done. I bought it primarily to add to my library of Patrick O'Brian related material and was pleasantly surprised by how engaging it was to read it. The text is written by the artist; while reading, it felt like I was in a conversation with him about his work. I am not knowledgeable about art and I found his conversations about how he approaches a painting, illustrated with sketches and preliminary studies, to be informative and enjoyable to read. It certainly works well also as good O'Brian background material, with the prints of book covers, other works focused on "Nelson's Navy" and reports of dialogues between Hunt and O'Brian. If you buy it, pick it up and read it; don't just set it on the coffee table for your guests.

Bennett Books - thank you for your obvious care and attention in packaging this incredible book for such a long journey...literally half way around the world. The book truly represents the artistry of Mr. Hunt and a long forgotten time of tall ships, adventures into the unknown, and conquest on the high seas.

The colossal weight of a ship of the line, the sea right before my eyes, Geoff Hunt brought that world into focus like the Hubble brought us distant galaxies. He places the viewer into at live, real world of light and color, and then he does what? With great generosity he opens his studio to us and shares a bit of his method for approaching this spectacular subject. I've started the Aubrey Maturin series for the fourth time now and the images bring that world of 200 years ago to life. The movie fills in the faces, even Killick's unfortunately, but Geoff Hunt has rigged me up a bosun's chair and hauled me aboard a hansom fleet, one carefully painted ship at a time.

Having long admired the paintings of Geoff Hunt, I was thrilled to find a collection of his works under one cover. The surprise was, in addition to the paintings, a wonderful brief autobiography of "how I got started" by the author/painter. I have Patrick O'Brian's complete collection of the Aubrey/Maturin series. Each one having a Geoff Hunt painting on the cover. I don't know how else to review a book of paintings but to say for anyone to want a wonderful collection of marine art, this is the book for you. And if you've yet to read Patrick O'Brian. Start spending some money on Amazon. You won't regret it.

Most excellent book. Paintings are vivid and alive. Really neat follow the artist's steps to create a painting. However, I was most interested in the subject of the paintings and was fully satisfied with what was provided.

Mr Hunts paintings have fascinated me for years. The ships under sail, working at their trade, war, is endlessly interesting. The intricacy of their construction, the complexity if their design and the difficulty in operating these large sail powered vessels is depicted with detail and accuracy, giving a feeling of what it must have been like to observe these magnificent vessels, the height of technology at the time, as they went about their business!I really enjoy these paintings and would love to see the originals!

Clearly Geoff Hunt is a master of art. Again, as with the Marine Painter's Guide, I was struck by the amount of research involved (even to taking into account the weather of the time and the maneuvering in close quarters required to clear an anchorage) of as well as the preliminary sketches and paintings necessary to produce a truly first-rate first rate. For the student of history, the marine artist, or someone who enjoys fine artistry, this book is a treasure!

Those of us who eagerly followed the Patrick O`Brian novels will be well aware of Geoff Hunt, who's masterly maritime paintings adorned the classic covers of the Aubrey/Maturin novels; this large square-format volume showcases his marine painting (he is a versatile painter of other subjects too) and amply reveals his range of subjects (not limited the great warships of the Napoleonic era).In addition to the many large colour reproductions of the paintings, there are drawings, sketches and preparatory work, including sections revealing his working methods as he approaches different commissions/projects.A really pleasing volume to look through, instructive and a fine reference on the artist.

Very enjoyable book detailing Geoff's development as an artist right from his earliest work through corporate art, single commissions, the fantastic Aubrey/Maturin covers and beyond. Lots of insights to the processes involved in successful paintings with topics including; materials, colours , size, scale, context, ratios and research. The book also explains four case studies from conception through all intermediate stages to the finished article. There is more though, as Geoff talks about the effort and time he's taken to secure access to forgotten ships' models and plans it is plain that his passion for the sea and ships is what drove him to become so successful. A real treat not just visually.

This is a beautifully produced book that gives an insight into the life and artistic gifts of Geoff Hunt. I am amazed at the pictures, which I have admired in the Captain Aubrey novels of Patrick O'Brien, but also at the full and exciting life which the artist has lived.The detail in the pictures, of sailing ships and and more modern craft, and the atmosphere they generate are truly unique.To buy the book at the discounted price was a great bonus.

Superb artwork from a master draftsman.

Great book, mixing both historical information about this period in navel history and Geoff Hunts wonderful paintings and preparatory sketches and plans are also included. Huge attention to accuracy of ships construction at this time. A look into a time capsule and of interet to both maritine artists and historians.