I'm Donald Groat, an artist and illustrator based in Balerno, just outside Edinburgh.

Watercolour is my main medium, although I also enjoy working with pencil and ink, as well as exploring digital illustration. I'm always curious to try something different and see where it takes me.

I find painting incredibly calming and enjoy the process as much as the finished piece. There's something very satisfying about sitting down with a blank sheet of paper and seeing an idea gradually take shape. I'm always looking to learn, experiment with new techniques and explore different ways of working.

When I'm not painting, you'll usually find me making music, spending time with my family, baking, or out walking my dogs. These everyday things are an important part of my life and, in their own way, often find their way into my creativity.

A journey in watercolour

I've always enjoyed drawing, but painting wasn't something I immediately found my way into. For a long time I created work digitally, but when I eventually started painting with traditional materials, I quickly found that watercolour was the medium I enjoyed most.

There is something special about starting with a blank sheet of paper and watching a painting gradually take shape. I never quite know exactly where a painting will end up, and that's part of what keeps it exciting.

Of course, not every painting goes to plan. There are times when I question where a piece is heading, but I've found that stepping back, persevering and allowing the painting to develop can often lead to something unexpected—and sometimes those unexpected moments become the most interesting part of the finished work.

I once came across a simple idea that has stayed with me: the only wasted piece of paper is the one that hasn't been painted on yet. I couldn't agree more.

Inspired by nature

Much of my work is inspired by the natural world, particularly the landscapes, coastlines and wildlife of Scotland. Living on the outskirts of Edinburgh, I'm lucky to have plenty of nature around me, and it's something I find myself returning to again and again.

Watercolour feels like a natural fit for these subjects. I enjoy the way the paint flows, blends and sometimes behaves in unexpected ways, helping me capture the atmosphere and character of a place rather than simply reproducing what I see.

I'm always looking for those small details, colours and moments that make a landscape or animal interesting to me, and trying to bring some of that feeling into each painting.

What I hope my paintings convey

I hope my paintings give people a moment to pause.

There's something about watercolour that lends itself to a sense of calm—the way the paint flows across the paper, the softness of the colours and the unexpected things that can happen along the way.

If a painting makes someone stop for a moment, brings back a memory of a place they've visited, or simply gives them a feeling of calm, then I feel it has done what I hoped it would.

Art from Edinburgh, for your home

My paintings are created in my home studio in Balerno, just outside Edinburgh, and inspired by the landscapes, coastlines and wildlife around me.
If you've seen something you like, have a question about one of my paintings, or would like to talk to me about a commission, I'd love to hear from you.