Roy Cross is considered by many to be the most accurate painter of historical marine vessels of all time. After training at the St. Martins School of Fine Art, Roy Cross's artistic career became established as an illustrator in numerous fields for journals and books. During the Second World War he illustrated air force maintenance books and publications such as "'Aeroplane" and "Aviation Week". After the war, Roy Cross produced illustrations for the tops of the Airfix model boxes which are remembered by generations of children today. He decided to concentrate primarily upon marine painting and he was immediately successful.
Elected a Member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists in 1977, his art covers clipper ships to Mississippi steamboats, warships to commercial steam vessels and Royal Yachts to Americas Cup contenders.