Love this painting?

Want to paint it yourself?

Buy the Paint-it-Yourself Pack for £9.99

Painting - Thurso - Scottish Scenes
Buy Now - £9.99

Download all 10 source images for £9.99

Sketches, drawings, grid and colour palettes...

Original painting of Thurso
Original
Tonal version
Tonal (B&W)
Painting with grid
Painting + Grid
Line drawing
Line Drawing
Line drawing with grid
Line + Grid
Sepia sketch
Sepia Sketch
Sepia sketch with grid
Sepia + Grid
Sketch
Sketch
Sketch with grid
Sketch + Grid
Colour wheel / palette
Colour Palette

Why You’ll Love Our Packs

Stress-Free Learning

  • Start with outlines—no blank-canvas anxiety.
  • Artist grid guides ensure perfect proportions.
  • Use colour/tonal references to learn step by step.

Build Confidence, Fast

  • See clear progress from your first brushstroke.
  • Structured references remove guesswork.
  • Hone skills at your own pace, without pressure.

Pure Relaxation

  • Painting reduces stress and helps you unwind.
  • Focus on painting, not the challenge of drawing.
  • A therapeutic break from everyday distractions.

Own Your Artwork, 100%

  • Tweak colours and medium for true creative freedom.
  • No copyright: sell, gift, or display your final piece.
  • Say, “Yes, I painted that!” when friends compliment it.

Get a FREE pack!

Buy two packs and get one completely FREE!

Simply add three packs to your cart and and enter the coupon "onefree"

Browse: Similar paintings | All paintings | Same style | Same subject

See The Transformation

Drag the handle left or right to compare the line drawing with the original painting.

Sketch with grid
Sketch
Original
Painting

How It Works

  1. Buy the Paint-it-Yourself Pack.: Check out securely, then instantly receive your PDF pack by email.
  2. Display on a Device or Print It: View the outlines, sketches, and grids on your iPad or phone—or print them out for easy tracing.
  3. Start Your Sketch / Tracing: Transfer or trace the line drawing onto your canvas/paper. Use grid lines if you want perfect proportions.
  4. Paint the Picture: Follow our tonal references, colour palette, or experiment freely. Enjoy a stress-free painting session!
  5. Showcase or Monetise Your Artwork: Gift it, hang it on your wall, or even sell it—we grant you the freedom to profit.
Artist with iPad and Easel

Painting Guidance

Buy the pack - then follow this guidance.

The painting captures a serene and enchanting scene over Thurso, Scotland. The sky is alive with the mesmerizing colors of the Northern Lights, casting a gentle glow over the landscape. A couple sits on rugged rocks, silhouetted against the vivid hues of green, blue, and hints of violet in the sky, creating a perfect blend of tranquility and awe. The color palette is rich in deep greens, muted blues, and earthy tones, set against the shimmering starlit sky. The artistic style is both realistic and atmospheric, conveying the magic of nature's light show.

Step-by-Step Painting Guide

Materials Needed

  • Canvas (size of your choice)
  • Acrylic or oil paints (color palette provided in your pack)
  • Paintbrushes (various sizes)
  • Palette
  • Water or solvent (depending on paint type)
  • Rag or paper towels
  • Optional: Easel

Step 1: Set Up Your Workspace

Begin by setting up your canvas and materials in a well-lit, comfortable area. Familiarize yourself with the color wheel provided, noting the dominant colors you'll be working with: greens, blues, and earth tones.

Step 2: Preparing the Canvas

Use the included grid version to lightly sketch the outlines of the composition onto your canvas. Ensure the horizon, rocks, and figures are correctly positioned to maintain composition accuracy.

Step 3: Blocking in the Sky

  1. Start with the dark blue and black areas of the night sky. Use broad strokes to cover the top and corners of the canvas.
  2. Gradually blend in shades of green for the Northern Lights, using vertical strokes for a soft, ethereal effect.
  3. Add lighter greens and touches of violet to create depth and movement in the aurora.

Step 4: Painting the Ocean

Mix muted blues with hints of green for the ocean. Apply horizontal strokes to mimic the smooth texture of water. Use lighter shades near the horizon to reflect the glow from the sky.

Step 5: Detailing the Rocks

  1. Use earthy tones to create the texture of the rocks in the foreground.
  2. Layer darker browns and blacks to highlight shadows and create contrast against the lighter areas caught by the aurora's light.

Step 6: Capturing the Silhouettes

Paint the couple in silhouette using deep blacks. Pay attention to their outlines to ensure they are distinct and harmonious within the scene.

Step 7: Adding Stars and Details

  • Using a small brush, stipple tiny dots of white to represent stars, adding a sense of vastness to the sky.
  • Refine any details in the rocks and fine-tune the aurora's soft trails with a smaller brush.

Step 8: Final Touches

Review your painting, making adjustments where needed to enhance contrast and ensure color harmony. Allow the painting to dry thoroughly before displaying.

Enjoy the process of recreating this beautiful scene, capturing the tranquil and magical essence of Thurso under the Northern Lights.

Start painting today! Instant download.

Buy the pack now and you'll be painting in no time!

Buy now

Similar Paintings You Might Like….

Prefer a Ready-to-Hang Version?

Framed version of Thurso
Love this artwork? Explore even more ways to enjoy it at home—visit ScotlandPaintings.com to discover beautifully framed prints, premium canvas editions, and high-quality posters featuring this stunning Scottish scene. Each product is professionally printed and ready to bring the charm of Scotland straight to your walls.
Buy a framed print of this painting

Frequently Asked Questions

Right after checkout, you’ll get an instant download link and an email with a secure link to use for the next 72 hours.

Absolutely. We provide sketches, line drawings, grids, and colour guidance, so even first-timers can paint with confidence. No drawing experience required.

Basic paints (acrylic, oil, or watercolour), brushes, and a canvas/paper. You can even use crayons or pencils if you like—our references adapt to any medium.

Yes! We remove our copyright from our references, so you own your final artwork completely. You can sell it, gift it, or display it in exhibitions.

If you’re not satisfied, contact us within 14 days. We’ll work with you to ensure you love your painting experience.