Abstract. Matrices with a skew-symmetric part of low rank arise in many applications, including path following methods and integral equations. This paper explores the properties of the Arnoldi process when applied to such a matrix. We show that an orthogonal Krylov subspace basis can be generated with short recursion formulas and that the Hessenberg matrix generated by the Arnoldi process has a structure, which makes it possible to derive a progressive GMRES method. Eigenvalue computation is also considered.