Donald Watson (artist)
Encyclopedia
Donald Watson was a Scottish
ornithologist and a wildlife artist
.
, Surrey
. He drew birds as a child and was encouraged in this by the wildlife artist Archibald Thorburn
. The family relocated to Edinburgh
, and Donald attended Edinburgh Academy
. There he met a former pupil, George Waterston
, Director of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
in Scotland
, and President of the Midlothian Ornithologists' Club, which became the Scottish Ornithologists' Club
in 1936. After attending Oxford University and then undergoing war service in India, he was further encouraged by two ornithologists at Tynron
, Dumfries & Galloway, the Rev. J.M. McWilliam, and Sir Arthur Duncan, Chairman of the Nature Conservancy.
, and President of the Scottish Ornithologists' Club
. He also was a local bird recorder for Galloway
.
He was not only a painter, but also a gifted author. His first book, written and illustrated by him, was "Birds of Moor and Mountain" (1972), followed by "The Hen Harrier" (1977), "A Bird Artist in Scotland" (1988), and "One Pair of Eyes" (1994).
He and his wife settled in St. John's Town of Dalry
. He died in Dumfries
. The Donald Watson Gallery, an exhibition space for wildlife artists at Waterston House in Aberlady
, East Lothian
is named after him.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
ornithologist and a wildlife artist
Wildlife art
Wildlife art is one of humanity's earliest art forms, dating back to prehistoric cave paintings such as those found at the grotto of Lascaux in France....
.
Early years
Watson was born at CranleighCranleigh
Cranleigh is a large village, self-proclaimed the largest in England, and is situated 8 miles south east of Godalming in Surrey. It lies to the east of the A281 which links Guildford with Horsham; neighbouring villages include: Ewhurst, Alfold and Hascombe....
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
. He drew birds as a child and was encouraged in this by the wildlife artist Archibald Thorburn
Archibald Thorburn
Archibald Thorburn was a Scottish artist and bird illustrator, painting mostly in watercolour. He regularly visited Scotland to sketch birds in the wild, his favourite haunt being the Forest of Gaick near Kingussie in Invernesshire...
. The family relocated to Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, and Donald attended Edinburgh Academy
Edinburgh Academy
The Edinburgh Academy is an independent school which was opened in 1824. The original building, in Henderson Row on the northern fringe of the New Town of Edinburgh, Scotland, is now part of the Senior School...
. There he met a former pupil, George Waterston
George Waterston
George Waterston was an ornithologist and conservationist in Scotland. He was Director of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in Scotland. He lived at 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh where he co-founded what was the Midlothian Ornithologists' Club and is now the Scottish Ornithologists'...
, Director of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Bird Notes and News was first published in April 1903.The title changed to 'Bird Notes' in 1947. In the 1950s, there were four copies per year . Each volume covered two years, spread over three calendar years...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, and President of the Midlothian Ornithologists' Club, which became the Scottish Ornithologists' Club
Scottish Ornithologists' Club
The Scottish Ornithologists' Club is a Scottish ornithological body, founded in March 1936 at the premises of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. As of 2008, the SOC has 2,200 members. The Club runs the Scottish Birds Records Committee, which maintains a list of birds recorded in Scotland...
in 1936. After attending Oxford University and then undergoing war service in India, he was further encouraged by two ornithologists at Tynron
Tynron
Tynron is a village, and former kirkton of Nithsdale, in Dumfries and Galloway, south-west Scotland. It lies in a hollow of the Shinnel Water, from Moniaive. At Tynron Doon, on a spur of nearby Auchengibbert Hill, there can be seen the ditches and ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort...
, Dumfries & Galloway, the Rev. J.M. McWilliam, and Sir Arthur Duncan, Chairman of the Nature Conservancy.
Career
Donald Watson specialised in painting birds in their natural environment. He had his first one man exhibition in Edinburgh in 1949, followed by London, Glasgow, Oxford, Dumfries as well as Toronto and Luxembourg. He illustrated over 30 books, including the Oxford Book of British Birds. He became a founder member of the Society of Wildlife ArtistsSociety of Wildlife Artists
The Society of Wildlife Artists is a British organisation for artists who paint or draw wildlife, founded in 1964. Its founder President was Sir Peter Scott, the current President of the society is British artist Andrew Stock....
, and President of the Scottish Ornithologists' Club
Scottish Ornithologists' Club
The Scottish Ornithologists' Club is a Scottish ornithological body, founded in March 1936 at the premises of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. As of 2008, the SOC has 2,200 members. The Club runs the Scottish Birds Records Committee, which maintains a list of birds recorded in Scotland...
. He also was a local bird recorder for Galloway
Galloway
Galloway is an area in southwestern Scotland. It usually refers to the former counties of Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire...
.
He was not only a painter, but also a gifted author. His first book, written and illustrated by him, was "Birds of Moor and Mountain" (1972), followed by "The Hen Harrier" (1977), "A Bird Artist in Scotland" (1988), and "One Pair of Eyes" (1994).
He and his wife settled in St. John's Town of Dalry
St. John's Town of Dalry
St. John's Town of Dalry, usually referred to simply as Dalry, is a village in Dumfries and Galloway, formerly in Kirkcudbrightshire. It is located sixteen miles from Castle Douglas along the A713 road, and is at the southern terminus of the A702 road...
. He died in Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
. The Donald Watson Gallery, an exhibition space for wildlife artists at Waterston House in Aberlady
Aberlady
Aberlady is a coastal village in the Scottish council area of East Lothian. On Aberlady Bay, it is five miles northwest of Haddington and approximately 18 miles east of Edinburgh, to which it is linked by the A198 Dunbar - Edinburgh road.Aberlady Parish Church dates back to the 15th century. It...
, East Lothian
East Lothian
East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Its administrative centre is Haddington, although its largest town is Musselburgh....
is named after him.