'Geoff Hunt''s pictures, perfectly accurate in period and details, but very far from merely representational, are often suffused with a light reminiscent of Canaletto'' Patrick O'Brian ''...his paintings, perhaps more than those of any other artist, have a compelling immediacy and sense of vitality, especially in his work of the great age of sail'' Julian Stockwin 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 5 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.