The West Coast of Scotland has some of the finest scenery in the world. I’ve only been a handful of times but I’ve always been inspired to paint on location, whatever the weather. In 1998 we decided to take the long drive from Edinburgh to Mallaig for a long weekend. The weather was typical for … Read more
Paintings of Scotland “It’s like painting the Forth Bridge” is an expression that is often used to describe a task or job that seems never ending. Indeed, painting the Forth Rail Bridge has been just that. The Forth Bridge is an iconic one and a half mile Victorian structure that spans the Forth of Forth … Read more
Paintings of Edinburgh Victoria Street Edinburgh boasts a quaint array of brightly coloured artisan shops and restaurants. It is set on a gentle incline that takes one down to the Grassmarket. Although it doesn’t have the grandiose feel of Princes Street or George Street, it typifies (for me anyway) the spirit and architecture of Edinburgh. … Read more
Edinburgh This limited edition print of Melville street, Edinburgh is dominated by the distinctive outline of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral. Its central spire of 270 feet punctuates the skyline of this street scene of Edinburgh’s New Town. Watercolour Painting The figures, each one preoccupied with their own tasks, are an integral part of this watercolour. … Read more
Telephone Boxes One of the things I really enjoy painting when in Edinburgh are the old telephone boxes, including the old Police ones. This print of Heriot’s School taken from above Victoria Street features two types. The old police box predates the era of mobile communications. Today, most have been withdrawn from service. However they … Read more
Royal Mile Several of my paintings of Edinburgh feature different parts of the well trodden Royal Mile. The Tolbooth Edinburgh can be found on Canongate Tobooth. I’m always captivated by the Royal Mile because it is full of fascinating architecture. The Tolbooth was built in 1591 and it was here that the tolls or public dues … Read more
Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh is a lovely area to relax in, particularly in the summer months. For this particular painting, I wanted to capture it from a more unusual angle. I decided to climb Scott’s Monument, a Victorian Gothic monument to the Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. It’s 200 feet and 6 inches … Read more
Edinburgh My first limited edition print of Edinburgh was a scene of the Grassmarket published in 1993. It sold out in less than a year. Since then I’ve had a further 18 of my watercolours of Edinburgh published as limited edition prints. These have been hugely popular with clients from all around the world. Auld … Read more
Royal Mile St Giles Cathedral stands proudly along Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile in-between the Castle and John Knox House. It has a distinctive crowned spire which reminds me of Newcastle’s St Nicholas Cathedral. Today it attracts a congregation of several hundred worshippers led by around 50 elders who manage the building and the church. When … Read more
Bridges I’ve always been attracted to painting bridges. My first exhibition back in 1981 contained several watercolours of the bridge in Ponteland. Although the New Bridge in Ayr does not have the drama of the Forth Rail Bridge, I do like this particular painting because of the colours and sunlight on the buildings. West Coast … Read more