The Jibe represents a crucial moment in the Columbia vs Defender 1899 America's Cup Trials. John's research is meticulous and is based on contemporary accounts of events, available drawings, photographs and inspection of available models of the yachts.

      A plan view of the race course detailing wind direction, vessel headings and sail settings is prepared to ensure that when the print is seen from an observer's viewpoint the scene is actually possible. Then a full size sketch is traced, cropped to the final proportion and then detailed.

      Small studies confirm important details. John's rigor is such that while painting he discovered that Columbia's inner forestay did not in fact land on the stemhead but at the heel of the bowsprit. This part of the painting was completely reworked to ensure authenticity - you can see it in the animation!

      The number of sail panels helps establish the scale of these huge yachts. With a standard width sail panel large yachts need an immense number to construct the sails. Having made counts from contemporary photographs John then constructs a tracing to ensure that the construction of the original sail is conveyed in the correct perspective with the appropriate number of panels!

      Having established the position of the sail panels the stitching must be painted in and the tones must be blended in order to correctly convey the light, transparency and shadow on each and every sail. Small fine stokes build up each seam and John keeps many pots of carefully mixed paints available to produce the right effect. Detailing one sail alone can take over one week of painstaking work!