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At sixteen Pettie entered the Trustees Academy in Edinburgh, where he studied art under Robert Scott Lauder (1803-69) and alongside William McTaggart (1835 - 1910), William Quiller Orchardson (1832 - 1910), Peter Graham (1836 - 1921), John MacWhirter and G.P. Chalmers (1833-78). Pettie specialized in scenes from military history, in addition to portraits, which were sometimes in costume, in the manner of Reynolds Stephens. His works include paintings inspired by historical events and literature. In 1858, he exhibited his first work at the Royal Scottish Academy, entitled A Scene from the Fortunes of Nigel, which was inspired by the novels of Sir Walter Scott. He was soon exhibiting his work at the Royal Academy in London. Such as his famous painting ‘Disbanded’ now hanging in the Dundee Art Gallery and Museum. The success of his work in London encouraged him to move south in 1862, where he joined his friend Orchardson, both of them sharing a studio together. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1866 and a full Academician in 1874. The National Portrait Gallery (London) holds four works by John Pettie he died at on the 21st February 1893.