Pen & Ink

William Gilkerson’s pen-and-ink drawings demonstrate his meticulous attention to detail and deep knowledge of maritime history. Often created as illustrations for his books or as standalone studies, these works depict historic ships, naval battles, whaling voyages, vikings, pirates, and other figures and objects.

His style is characterized by precise line work, careful composition, and a balance of technical accuracy with artistic expression. In some pieces, he combined ink with watercolour to enhance historical scenes, always emphasizing careful observation. Across his pen-and-ink portfolio, Gilkerson brought the maritime past vividly to life, reflecting both his artistry and his scholarship as a pirate historian.