HMAS Hobart (lll) off Darwin in 2020
This painting of HMAS Hobart was one of the ships that Geoff served in as a Marine Technician/Senior Hull Maintainer. Geoff drew and painted when his work at sea allowed him the time. Whilst serving in HMAS Hobart Geoff painted HMAS Supply (ll). He captured HMAS Supply in watercolour whilst alongside Fleet Base East.
Geoff’s drawing enabled him to get the structure of the ship technically correct before using watercolour to create the atmosphere he required for the painting.
- 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 Hobart (lll)
HMAS Hobart (III) was the first of three ships of the Hobart class guided missile destroyers. Ships of the same class are HMAS Brisbane (III) and HMAS Sydney (V).
Hobart is based on the Navantia designed F100 frigate and is fitted with the Aegis Combat System. Hobart was built in Adelaide, Australia by the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance.
Hobart provides air defence to accompanying ships and land forces. It also provides infrastructure in coastal areas, and for self-protection against missiles and aircraft.
More reading
- Additional resources for Geoff Anthony
- Additional resources for HMAS Hobart (lll)
