HMAS Arunta (ll), Underway in the Coral Sea
The painting of HMAS Arunta (ll) reflects technical accuracy, emotional depth and atmospheric realism. Geoff paints in watercolour using a wet-on-wet technique which allows colours to bleed and blend organically. As you can see from the painting above this is an ideal way for depicting a cloudy sky and the fluid movement of water.
- About Geoff Anthony
Geoff is currently serving in the Royal Australian Navy as a Marine Technician/Senior Hull Maintainer. He has always painted and is a watercolour artist and member of the Australian Society of Marine Artists.
He has served on HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Hobart and HMAS Brisbane.
Geoff is mainly self-taught but in 1997 he attended weekend classes at Julian Ashton’s in Sydney and during that time spent twelve months sketching and painting around the City of Sydney. which led to two solo exhibitions in Newtown and a shared exhibition in Enmore in 1998.
Geoff sketches a scene and then refines his composition before painting. His sketches help capture the structure of ships and harbour scenes with technical precision. Geoff said “I’ve been painting and drawing since longer than I remember. It’s one of those things I’ve always done.” Painting has helped to keep him level-headed and grounded.
Geoff primarily works in watercolour, a medium he chose for its difficulty and expressive potential. He uses wet-on-wet technique which involves applying wet paint onto a wet surface, allowing colours to bleed and blend organically. Ideal for depicting stormy skies, ocean spray, and fluid movement in water scenes. The wet-on-wet technique enhances the emotional depth and atmospheric realism of his paintings.
His time in the Royal Australian Navy deeply influences his subject matter. Paintings often feature naval vessels like HMAS Choules, HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Hobart and others. These works reflect both technical accuracy and emotional connection to life at sea.
Geoff has exhibited widely, including having had three of his artworks displayed in the 2023 Adelaide Fringe Festival, Defending the Arts. His work has gained recognition for its authenticity and emotional depth.
Some works are commissioned by fellow sailors to commemorate ships they served on. His paintings serve as visual memoirs, preserving naval history and personal stories.
- About HMAS Arunta (ll)
Arunta was built by Tenix Defence Systems in Williamstown, Victoria. Arunta is the second of eight Anzac Class frigates based on the German Meko 200 frigate. The Anzacs are long-range frigates capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction.
More reading
- Additional resources for Geoff Anthony
- Additional resources for HMAS Arunta (ll)
