Big Skies
I am essentially a realist artist painting what I see around me and above me! No good landscape painting succeeds without paying particular attention to the sky (if included in the composition). In Scotland I had ample opportunity to study and capture the dark skies and complex cloud formations.
Storm Clouds, 2023. Fluid Acrylic. Storm clouds passing and sunlight bursting through to illuminate the moutainside. Original framed painting and Giclee Prints available.
I am only too well aware of the changing weather patterns that we are all now experiencing and the extremes in our rainfall and increasing severity of storms. I want to convey some of this foreboding particularly with dark ominous skies, very effectively conveyed using the advantages of layering with fluid acrylic paints which can sequentially darken the tones needed.
Big Skies, 2024. Set of four watercolour paintings depicting ominous dark Scottish skies. Sold as the original set.
Storm clouds passing and sunlight bursting through to illuminate the moutainside. (Suggested room hanging).
Hilltop to Seashore
In the past seven years as I have become an emerging artist with more time to concentrate on my interest in the environment and how I can change my ways to help protect it, I have been given the opportunity to express my feelings by travelling and painting in Scotland in particular. While living in Edinburgh I was able to venture out to do plein air painting ( weather permitting ) but also to complete works in the comfort of my studio from photographs.
Towards Stac Pollaidh and Suilven, 2021. Fluid Acrylic. These iconic mountain ridges have been recreated by many artists. This is my partially stylistic interpretation of the view of the North West Scottish Highlands with a play of light. SOLD
Some of the compositions I have painted and displayed here have been supplied by my art tutor, David Forster RSW, a well respected Scottish watercolourist. He introduced me to the wonderful qualities of fluid acrylic paints and painting techniques. He has also helped me improve my skills in traditional watercolour techniques too at the Edinburgh Drawing School, with ongoing online tutorials to the present time.
Storm clouds and calm waters, 2022: Fluid Acrylic. The threat of a passing rainstorm is counterpoised by the calm and glittering appearance of the surface of the loch giving the piece a more reassuring overall impression. Fluid acrylic. Giclee Prints Available.
Gullane strand, East Lothian,2023. Fluid Acrylic. A beautiful place to have a stroll on the firm sand looking out towards the North Sea or to get lost among the large sand dunes. The textures of the marram grass wafting in the breeze have been sympathetically rendered with the light touch of fluid acrylic overlaying techniques. Original and Prints available for purchase.
Here I present various works in which I have tried to convey the grandness and the majesty of the Scottish Highlands and Lochs. Hill walking in the West Highlands is not for the faint hearted. I have then wandered along various different Scottish coasts to explore the shorelines. Most of these paintings are available either as original paintings or as high quality Giclee prints.
Salt Marsh, Aberlady, 2022. Fluid Acrylic on textured paper. Location is Aberlady Bay Reserve. These are the saltmarshes that form part of the first Local Nature Reserve established in the UK in 1952. A popular spot for birdwatchers, and served by local transport. SOLD
A Scottish sea loch , 2025. Watercolour. The rough bare shore rock and shingle are balanced by the delicate ripple effects of the mild sea breeze on the water. This is harmonized with the pale receding hills to the distant open sea. Original and Giclee prints available.
Moonlight
Capturing the luminosity of a bright moon or the subtle tones and shadows of the landscape at sundown beyond the golden hour has always been a challenge for me. With practice comes experience and some sense of achievement of doing justice to the dwindling light and soft shadows. Sometimes fluid acrylics and even watercolours can provide quite intense colours and tones.
Twilight city park, 2023. Fluid acrylic on paper. A delicate treatment of the early evening lighting of a small city park in France is achieved using subdued colours and radiant highlights. The subtle buildings in the background add context to the overall atmosphere. Original Framed and Limited Edition Giclee Prints available
Blue Moon, 2025. Watercolour on textured paper. The full moon rising above a still sea is strikingly intense with the use of a deep blue range of tones to the ocean with a less intense purple hued sky and highlighted clouds. Original and Limited Edition Giclee Prints available.
Light up the night, 2023. Fluid acrylic on paper. The intense full moon is shining through the upper branches of the trees that appear to shimmer in the bright moonlight. The strong elongated shadows add further drama to the scene. Original and Limited Edition Giclee Prints available
Trees and Light
When I sit and appreciate the play of light through trees and the effects of shadows moving across the landscape and wrapping around natural objects, I am struck by the dazzling rewards we are given when we just stop and take the time to look. I wish I could add the sounds of breezes through the trees to my artworks too. It is my intention to make every effort to capture the changing light to it’s full effect.
Under the shade of an old oak tree. 2022. Fluid acrylic on textured paper. The almost sparkling glisten of the sun on the bushes and hedgerow is contrasted by the sombre shade of the old tree and its scarred companion. Prints and original available.
Radiance, 2025. Watercolour on textured paper. The shimmering light of the early morning sun has created a kaleidoscopic effect as it’s beams pass through the shrubbery. Original Framed and Limited Edition Giclee Prints available.
Silver birch path, 2022: Fluid acrylic. The popular path on Corstorphine Hill in Edinburgh has been decorated by early spring foliage on the young birch trees which is mirrored by the abundant growth of wild garlic on the floor of the woods. Original Framed and Glicee Prints available.
Old master, 2023: Watercolour. The eccentric branching of this grand old cedar tree has been highlighted by the overhead sun with it’s contrasting deep shadowing on the woodland floor. Original Framed and Limited Edition Giclee Prints available.
Frosted forest light, 2021: Fluid acrylic. The early morning sun that radiates between the pine trees is casting long shadows on the still frozen ground beneath our feet. Gifted to a friend. NFS
Water Movement
The property of fluid acrylic paints to allow over-layering while maintaining some transparency and fluidity of the under painting is excellent in portraying the dynamism and movement of flowing water. Here I present some of my work showing water movement in it’s natural environment.
Bass Rock from North Berwick,2022. Fluid Acrylic. View from near North Berwick in East Lothian, Scotland looking out towards the Bass Rock bird sanctuary. The local Scottish Seabird Centre is a very popular visitors venue where the world’s largest colony of northern gannets can be observed. Framed Original and Limited Edition Giclee Prints for sale.
Shore of Light, 2023. Fluid Acrylic. The setting sun has given a golden allure to the lapping waves on the sandy beach. Framed Original and Limited Edition Giclee Prints available.
Over the Sea to Skye, 2023. Fluid Acrylic. The view from the Mallaig ferry towards the Cuillin mountain peaks on Skye in Western Scotland on a blustery day. Framed Original and Limited Edition Giclee Prints available
White Rapids, 2023. Fluid Acrylic. A turbulent scene of a mountain river that has burst it’s banks and is in full flood. Framed Original and Giclee prints available.
Winter Scenes
I have never really considered sitting out in the winter months in Scotland to do plein air painting ! But I have been able to record the beautiful transformation that occurs when frost and snow cover the natural landscape by taking photographs while well wrapped up. Then I have been able to reproduce and interpret my images by the use of acrylics and watercolour. The use of light touch tones of whites and blues that fluid acrylic paint offers can bring the winter scenes to life.
Frost morning on the Union Canal, 2025. Watercolour. This scene encaptures the thaw that is beginning to occur as the first warm rays of the sun pass over the iced surface of the Union Canal near Edinburgh. Original and Giclee Prints available.
Hoar frost on a hedge, 2025: Watercolour. This unusual phenomenon occurs sometimes when the coldness causes the mist to freeze on the fine branches of the plants .Original and Giclee Prints available.
Rainbow Frost, 2023. Fluid Acrylic on textured paper. Prizewinning portrayal of the prismatic effect of low sunlight on early morning frost on the banks of the Union Canal near Edinburgh.Original and Limited Edition Giclee Prints available.
Winter morning Walk, 2025. Watercolour. A tranquil scene with limited colour palette to capture the crispness and serenity of a snow covered landscape in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh.Framed Original and Limited Edition Prints available.
Woodlands
A favourite subject of mine is when I try to do justice to the splendour of Nature in woodland scenes. I feel we take so much for granted in the appreciation of all our local woodlands in the U.K. Many are maintained by the Forestry Commission operating in England as Forestry England and the National Trust others are preserved by private owners (over 80%) and charities like the Woodland Trust
Old Water Mill, 2021. Fluid acrylic on textured paper. An old wooden mill and barn hiding in the woods. The use of acrylic pegments with spatter technique enhances the rich colours of the summer vegetation. Gifted to family. Not for Sale.
Bluebells in Shade, 2021. Fluid Acrylic on watercolour paper. The forest floor is covered in a carpet of bluebells that proliferate towards the more shaded middle distance.
It is our responsibility to nurture and cherish these living and breathing homes to our wonderful biodiversity. By using my acrylic paints I hope I have been able to replicate this fragility and beauty. Most of the works you see here are available as high quality Giclee prints for sale on mounted board, with size specified. Part of the proceeds of any sale will be donated to my preferred conservation charity, Friends of the Earth.
Forest Ferns, 2024. Watercolour. The forest floor is brightly illuminated by a beam of sunshine bleaching out the colours of the feathery ferns. Original and Limited Edition Giclee Prints available.
Woodland Fern, 2022. Fluid acrylic. A woodland clearing with luscious grasses and ferns bathed in the midday sunshine. Layering with fluid acrylic is more advantageous in detailing the foreground undergrowth. Original and Limited Edition Giclee Prints available.