There is something special about a painting made just for your yacht. Not a print, not a stock image, but a one-of-a-kind piece that captures your vessel exactly as you know it — the curve of the hull, the play of light on the water, the character of the rig.
If you have ever wondered what goes into a bespoke yacht commission, here is your behind-the-scenes look.
Step 1: The First Conversation
Every commission starts with a conversation. Rebecca works with a small number of clients each year, so this first step is about understanding what matters to you — the mood you want the piece to capture, the size of the painting, and where it will hang.
You will also send high-resolution photographs of your vessel to rebecca@rebeccagrant.co.uk. The more you can share, the better. Multiple angles, different lighting conditions, close-ups of the deck — all of it helps Rebecca build a full picture before she picks up a brush.
Step 2: Sketch and Composition
Rebecca does not simply copy a photograph. Drawing on the cubist influence inherited from her grandfather, Baron Raymond de Longueuil, she studies the geometry of the hull and rig and builds the composition from the structure outward. A pencil sketch is shared with you for approval before any paint is applied.
Step 3: Building the Layers
The painting is built up in acrylic layers, each one drying before the next is added. Early layers establish the hull, waterline, and sky. Then comes the detail — the rigging, the light on the superstructure, the movement of the sea. Rebecca brings together cubist structure, illustrative precision, impressionist atmosphere, and abstract energy to make every canvas feel alive rather than static.
Step 4: The Precious Finishes
This is the stage that sets Rebecca’s work apart. Once the main composition is in place, she applies 24ct gold leaf, silver, and crushed mother of pearl to the wake, the water, and the highlights across the vessel. The result is a canvas that shifts with the light — an effect noted by institutions such as the Tate, whose conservators highlight gold leaf as one of the most enduring materials in fine art.
Step 5: Frame and Delivery
Every painting is professionally framed in-house and delivered in Yacht Paintings’ signature black and gold branded box. The presentation is designed to match the quality of what is inside, whether it is a personal acquisition or a gift for a client.
Ready to Begin?
Find out more about Rebecca and her 25-year career, or go straight to the commissions page to start the conversation. Rebecca takes on a limited number of pieces each year, so it is worth getting in touch sooner rather than later.
Contact Rebeca today to discuss your vessel and your vision.