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John Gerrie Artwork
July 2026 Newsletter
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Two Architectural Watercolours: Marischal College and Crathes Castle
This month brings together two very different but equally rewarding architectural subjects: the magnificent entrance of Marischal College in Aberdeen and a new frontal study of Crathes Castle.
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Both paintings began with the same question: what is the best way to show the character of a building without losing the feeling that first drew me to it?
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Marischal College, Aberdeen
Marischal College has been on my painting “bucket list” for some time. It is one of Aberdeen’s great landmarks, admired by visitors and locals alike for its pale granite, strong Gothic lines and remarkable sense of scale. The full Broad Street façade is a magnificent sight, but as a painting subject it can easily become overwhelming.
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After several sketches of the whole building, I decided to focus on the main front entrance. This gave me a stronger composition and allowed the beauty of the stonework to come forward. The entrance arch, twin towers, window lines and pavement setting offered a balanced structure, while the carved details and shields above the arch added interest without taking attention away from the main form.
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I chose a sunny day after a dry spell to study the granite at its best. The colour of the stone was especially important. Aberdeen granite has a coolness and subtle warmth that changes with the light, so I worked with burnt sienna, French ultramarine, cadmium yellow, cadmium red and titanium white in varying mixes until the washes felt right. The darker entrance helped create depth, while the hedges on either side brought a welcome touch of green. A soft blue sky with a hint of cloud completed the setting and lifted the towers.
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The tonal range is deliberately controlled. Too much contrast in one area would have unbalanced the painting, so the focus remains on the structure of the entrance and the quiet strength of the granite.
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Crathes Castle
My second watercolour this month returns to Crathes Castle, but from a very different viewpoint. My earlier painting showed the castle from an angled perspective, giving a strong sense of depth and the feeling that you could almost walk around the building. This new version is a full frontal view, closer in spirit to an architectural elevation.
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Painting the same building twice has reminded me how important viewpoint is. A subject may appear attractive from one angle, but it is only by walking around it, observing the light and considering the composition that the best painting begins to reveal itself. This applies not only to castles and historic buildings, but also to rivers, seashores, country tracks, hilltops and everyday scenes.
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In Scotland, the light can change by the hour. A view that seems ideal in the morning may feel quite different by afternoon. Shadows move, stone colours shift, and the mood of the subject can alter completely. For an artist, that is both the challenge and the pleasure.
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The frontal view of Crathes Castle places emphasis on design, symmetry and architectural form. It offers a more direct, considered study of the building, while the earlier angled version provides movement and depth. Together, the two paintings show how one subject can produce very different results depending on perspective, tone, colour and light.
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Whether painting granite in Aberdeen or a castle in Royal Deeside, the same lesson applies: take time to look, sketch, compare and think. A painting is not only about what is in front of you, but about choosing the view that best captures the spirit of the subject.
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Closing Thoughts
I hope these two new watercolours encourage you to look again at familiar places and perhaps see them from a fresh angle. Please keep watching, reading and sharing your suggestions for future paintings.
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Thank you again for your support.
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Website Links
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Marischal College, Aberdeen
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A detailed pen, ink and watercolour painting of the main entrance to Marischal College, Aberdeen, focusing on the granite façade, soaring towers, entrance arch, carved stonework and line of coloured shields.
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Painted from a low, upward viewpoint, this artwork captures the scale, craftsmanship and cool elegance of one of the Granite City’s most recognisable architectural landmarks.
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Crathes Castle Watercolour
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A frontal watercolour painting of Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire, showing the pale tower, domestic wing, red ivy, green lawn and soft purple-blue sky.
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This calm architectural study captures the castle from a direct viewpoint, highlighting its structure, symmetry and distinctive Scottish character.
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St Machar Evaluation
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How to view this painting review To get the most from the audio review, enlarge the painting image before pressing play. Windows: Press F11 to view your browser full screen Mac: Use your browser’s full-screen option Press Play on the audio review Scroll the screen using the mouse so you can see the whole painting. When finished, exit full-screen mode
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Discounted Original Paintings
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See all discounted originals HERE.
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