Meet The Maritime Artist Whose Ocean Liner Artwork Appears In All My Videos

If you have watched any of my Tips For Travellers YouTube videos, you will almost certainly have seen the ocean liner artwork hanging on the wall behind me.

What you may not know is who created those pictures, just how much research and painstaking attention to detail goes into them, and why I am such a fan of the artist.

During my recent two-night stay aboard the historic SS Rotterdam, now permanently moored in Rotterdam and operating as a hotel and visitor attraction, I had the opportunity to meet up with the man behind those artworks: Dutch maritime artist Onno Heesbeen.

And he brought along a rather special surprise for me!

Who Is Maritime Artist Onno Heesbeen?

Onno Heesbeen is a Dutch maritime artist, illustrator, photographer and ship model maker who specialises in recreating classic ocean liners and passenger ships.

What makes his work stand out for me is the extraordinary attention to accuracy and detail. Rather than simply producing attractive pictures of ships, Onno researches their design, proportions, appearance and history to create remarkably faithful representations.

He even uses original ship plans where available to help ensure his illustrations and models are as accurate as possible. For example, when creating his drawings of the SS Rotterdam, he used the ship’s original plans to get the shape and proportions right.

The results are quite remarkable.

The Three Ocean Liner Artworks You See In All My Videos

I have three large framed pieces of Onno’s artwork on the wall of my filming studio.

They are:

• SS Île de France: The famous French ocean liner that entered service in 1927 and became one of the great transatlantic liners of her era. Her elegant profile and three funnels make her instantly recognisable.
• SS Rotterdam: Holland America Line’s magnificent 1959 flagship, which entered service the year I was born. This is, of course, the very ship I was staying aboard when I met Onno.
• Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2): Cunard’s legendary ocean liner, which entered service in 1969 and became one of the most famous passenger ships in history.

These are three ships I find fascinating, and I particularly like the way Onno’s artwork captures their distinctive profiles.

I also have several of his smaller framed prints, including illustrations of other classic ocean liners.

Meeting Onno Aboard The Historic SS Rotterdam

As Onno lives in the Netherlands and has a particular interest in the SS Rotterdam, and it seemed the perfect opportunity to meet up.

We got together aboard the SS Rotterdam, and it was fascinating to talk to him about his artwork, the research involved and his ship model projects.

A Very Special Gift: An Early SS Rotterdam Development Model

One of the highlights of meeting Onno was a completely unexpected gift.

He gave me one of the early development models he had made while working on recreating the SS Rotterdam. It is development model number four, produced while he was refining the shape and proportions of the ship.

The model is not a finished representation of the vessel with all its decks, funnels and fittings. Instead, it shows the underlying hull shape and basic structure.And that is what makes it so fascinating.

It provides an insight into the process involved in creating an accurate ship model.

Before adding all the details that make a ship instantly recognisable, Onno works to ensure the fundamental shape is correct.

Looking at this model, you can see how much attention goes into getting the hull right before progressing to the finished piece.

He has even marked and signed the model, identifying it as an early development version.

It is a wonderful piece of maritime memorabilia, and I am delighted to have it.

I now have something rather unusual to display alongside his finished artwork: a glimpse into how one of his ship models actually came to life.

Ocean Liner Art, Ship Models And Photographs Available To Buy

If, like me, you are fascinated by classic ocean liners and passenger ships, I really recommend exploring Onno’s online store.

He has a large and growing range of maritime artwork and other items available, including detailed illustrations and prints of classic ocean liners, passenger ships and cruise ships.

His work covers many different ships and eras, making it particularly appealing if you have a favourite vessel you sailed on or remember from years gone by. Alongside his artwork, he also produces highly detailed ship models and maritime photography.

And something I think is particularly interesting is that Onno also accepts commissions for artwork and ship models.

So, if there is a particular ship you would love to have recreated, it is worth contacting him to discuss what might be possible.

He ships worldwide.

You can explore his range: Visit Onno Heesbeen’s Ocean Liner Art Store

Follow His Work Behind The Scenes On Patreon

Another thing I recommend is looking at Onno’s Patreon page.

He has both free and paid membership options, where he shares material about his maritime interests and creative projects.

This includes photographs from his maritime archives, research into historic ships, updates on artwork he is developing, and behind-the-scenes insights into the creation of his detailed ship models.

I find this particularly interesting because it reveals just how much work goes into creating something that, when finished, looks so effortlessly accurate.

For example, he has shared regular updates showing the development of his SS Rotterdam model, including the hull, superstructure and smaller details.

His Patreon also includes extensive material on ships such as QE2, SS Norway and other famous liners.

If you enjoy ocean liner history, maritime photography or ship modelling, there is plenty to explore.

Explore Onno Heesbeen’s Patreon – Onnozone

Why I Am Such A Fan Of His Work

For me, Onno’s artwork is about more than simply having attractive pictures of ships on the wall. It is about preserving and celebrating the extraordinary history of ocean liners and passenger shipping.

Many of the ships he recreates have long since disappeared, but they remain important to those of us who love cruising and maritime history.

His illustrations capture them in a way that photographs sometimes cannot, showing their complete profiles and distinctive designs with remarkable clarity.

And having now met him, seen more of his work and learned about the research and development that goes into it, I appreciate those pictures hanging behind me in my studio even more.

I am particularly delighted with my little SS Rotterdam development model, which is a wonderful reminder of both my stay aboard the historic ship and meeting the artist responsible for so much of the artwork in my videos.

If you have a favourite classic ocean liner or cruise ship, I really encourage you to visit Onno’s store and see whether he has created an illustration or model of it.

You can find his work at:

Onno Heesbeen’s Store – Ocean Liner Art and Models

And follow his fascinating work behind the scenes at:

Onnozone on Patreon

I’d also love to know: which classic ocean liner or cruise ship would you most like to have a framed illustration or model of?

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