The Rugged Cliffs of Dunnotter Castle Original Oil

This is a very special original oil painting that I created en plein air while painting at Dunnottar Castle as a wildcard artist for Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year.

 

The beautiful sunny day was challenging: the castle itself was shrouded in shade in the morning, but as the sun moved, it began to truly highlight the rugged features of the steep, dramatic cliffs. Working on a small canvas, I decided to crop the castle and focus the viewer’s eye entirely on the raw power of the rock face and the striking colours of the beautiful waters surrounding it.

 

This painting captures the intense atmosphere of that day—the shifting light, the raw power of the Scottish coast, and the unique challenge of painting under competition pressure. It is a powerful piece of a unique story, perfect for anyone who appreciates the Northern landscape and collects art with a personal narrative.