I have taken up my own suggestion and opened a thread on the artwork of naval officers.
Two well known naval officers who were accomplished artists were the brothers Frederick William and Richard Beechey, sons of William Beechey, who painted many naval officers of the day.
These two links give a flavour of their work but there is much more on the internet.
http://tinyurl.com/7a2l9tehttp://www.aradergalleries.com/detail.php?id=1624Incidentally, I have a letter, dated 31 December 1820, written by Earl St Vincent to his friend Dr Baird, Physician to the Fleet, in which he mentions that 'Lt Beechey left us this morning having heard that another North Pole enterprise is afoot. He is a well-informed, modest, unassuming young Man, and will I hope see rewards according to his merits.'
Beechey senior was also a good friend of Nelson's and it was, so Oliver Warner records in his 'Portrait of Lord Nelson', to young Frederick William that Nelson gave the battered hat that he wore at the battle of the Nile.