Widely considered to be the leading marine painter of the twentieth century, the entirely self-taught Derek Gardner was not only capable of the unparalleled detail required in capturing ships, but stood unmatched in conveying the atmosphere of the ocean. The balancing of detail and atmosphere is central to the challenge of any marine painting, with many artists excelling in one rather than the other; yet it is a balance necessary to produce great works. Trained as a watercolourist with a taste for impressionistic effects, but at the same time a skilled civil engineer with an eye for detail, Derek Gardner was able to achieve this balance. The quality of his depictions of sea mist, flying spume, and ocean skies lends his paintings an air of authenticity which few artists can approach, situating his accuracy within a realistic seascape.