James Watterston Herald was a Scottish artist. Born in Forfar in 1859, the son of a shoemaker, James Watterston Herald went on to become a recognised figure in twentieth-century Scottish art. His emphasis on decorative colour, subtle tone and harmony of composition created delicate figurative and luminous landscapes which are delightful to view.

Herald was educated at West Burgh School, Forfar and later at Forfar Academy. At the age of 14 Herald attended the art class at the High School of Dundee, under the direction of the art master, Mr Kennedy, who regarded Herald as a most promising talent and awarded him the prize for excellence in drawing. By the time he had completed High School, Herald had acquired a reputation for having quite a skill for drawing, especially capturing caricatures of local celebrities and customers who frequented his father's shop.