Allaster McDougall

Allaster K. McDougall

Allaster K McDougall born in 1924 in Walgett, NSW. Died on 30 May 2018.

Allaster K. McDougall attended The Armidale School and in 1942 during World Ward ll joined the Royal Australian Navy Volunteer Reserve. He attained the rank of Lieutenant and served on the sloop HMAS Warrego and minelayer HMAS Bungaree in the East Indies (now Indonesia), Timor, New Guinea, Manus Island and into the Pacific.

He was a talented Australian marine artist and his work vividly captures naval scenes, particularly from World War II and post-war Australia. His artworks are part of the Australian National Maritime Museum's collection, showcasing his contribution to preserving naval history through art.

His artistic style is traditional figurative, with a strong emphasis on naval and maritime subjects. His works often depict ships, harbours, and wartime scenes with meticulous attention to detail and atmosphere, reflecting both his personal experience in the Royal Australian Naval Reserves and his deep appreciation for maritime history.

Oil painting was his primary medium, allowing for rich textures and layered compositions. His style suggests a documentary approach, capturing historical moments with accuracy.

McDougall also had an interest in bookplate design, which involves intricate line work and printmaking techniques like linocut and drypoint. He painted this bookplate of HMAS Warrego on the front endpaper of Practical navigation for the professional and the amateur by Master Mariner Thomas Gilchrist, published in Melbourne by Robertson & Mullens in 1943.