Robert Gillmor
Encyclopedia
Robert Gillmor is an ornithologist, artist, illustrator, author and editor, from England. He is a founder member of the Society of Wildlife Artists
(SWLA) and has been its Secretary, Chairman and President. He has contributed to over 100 books, and in 2001 was a recipient of the RSPB Medal.
. When he was a student in the art department of Reading University, he illustrated his first book, A Study of Blackbirds. Gillmor taught art and craft at his old school for six years, Leighton Park in Reading before commencing a freelance career as a wildlife artist in 1965.
Moving from Reading to Cley next the Sea
in Norfolk in 1998 proved an inspiring influence on his work. He resumed making lino-cuts. He is also a keen ornithologist, and has served on council for all three of the national organisations, RSPB, British Ornithologists' Union
and the British Trust for Ornithology
.
He has illustrated the covers of the annual reports of the Berkshire Ornithological Club (previously Reading Ornithological Club) since 1950.. He is a long-standing member (and former president) of the Reading Guild of Artists.
, (editing three books) and his grandfather, Professor Allen W. Seaby (1867-1953), who instilled in him a love of printmaking.
s for Royal Mail
, with a further three sets (of six stamps each) to come in 2012.
A retrospective of Gillmor's work will be exhibited at Reading Museum from 23 October 2011 until 29 April 2012.
Society 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....
(SWLA) and has been its Secretary, Chairman and President. He has contributed to over 100 books, and in 2001 was a recipient of the RSPB Medal.
Early life
Gillmor was educated at Leighton Park School, Reading and the School of Fine Art at Reading University. He was just 16 when his illustrations were first published, in the monthly magazine British BirdsBritish Birds (magazine)
British Birds is a monthly ornithology magazine that was established in 1907. It is now published by BB 2000 Ltd, which is wholly owned by The British Birds Charitable Trust , established for the benefit of British ornithology...
. When he was a student in the art department of Reading University, he illustrated his first book, A Study of Blackbirds. Gillmor taught art and craft at his old school for six years, Leighton Park in Reading before commencing a freelance career as a wildlife artist in 1965.
Later career
Gillmor's output has been enormous and in a variety of forms, line drawing watercolour, lino-cuts and silk screen. Since his first book in 1958, his work has since appeared in over 100 books.Moving from Reading to Cley next the Sea
Cley next the Sea
Cley next the Sea is a village on the River Glaven in Norfolk, England, 4 miles north-west of Holt and east of Blakeney. The main A149 coast road runs through the centre of the village, causing congestion in the summer months due to the tight, narrow streets. It lies within the Norfolk Coast AONB...
in Norfolk in 1998 proved an inspiring influence on his work. He resumed making lino-cuts. He is also a keen ornithologist, and has served on council for all three of the national organisations, RSPB, British Ornithologists' Union
British Ornithologists' Union
The British Ornithologists' Union aims to encourage the study of birds in Britain, Europe and elsewhere, in order to understand their biology and to aid their conservation....
and the British Trust for Ornithology
British Trust for Ornithology
The British Trust for Ornithology is an organisation founded in 1932 for the study of birds in the British Isles.-Activities:The BTO carries out research into the lives of birds, chiefly by conducting population and breeding surveys and by bird ringing, largely carried out by a large number of...
.
He has illustrated the covers of the annual reports of the Berkshire Ornithological Club (previously Reading Ornithological Club) since 1950.. He is a long-standing member (and former president) of the Reading Guild of Artists.
SWLA
After helping to found the SWLA in the early 1960s, Robert served as its Secretary and Chairman for many years. He was also elected President in 1984 and served for two five year periods, he is currently a vice-president of the society. As well as working to promote current work, Robert has done much to promote work of past artists, including Charles TunnicliffeCharles Tunnicliffe
Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe was an internationally renowned naturalistic painter of British birds and other wildlife. He spent most of his working life on the Isle of Anglesey.-Life:...
, (editing three books) and his grandfather, Professor Allen W. Seaby (1867-1953), who instilled in him a love of printmaking.
Recent
In 2011, Gillmor completed lino-cuts for four sets of postage stampPostage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
s for Royal Mail
Royal Mail
Royal Mail is the government-owned postal service in the United Kingdom. Royal Mail Holdings plc owns Royal Mail Group Limited, which in turn operates the brands Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide...
, with a further three sets (of six stamps each) to come in 2012.
A retrospective of Gillmor's work will be exhibited at Reading Museum from 23 October 2011 until 29 April 2012.
As Art Editor
- The Birds Of The Western Palaearctic, nine volumes, 1977-1994
- Birds Of Berkshire, 1996
As Illustrator
- Gillmor's first book, undertaken while a student- The dust jacketDust jacketThe dust jacket of a book is the detachable outer cover, usually made of paper and printed with text and illustrations. This outer cover has folded flaps that hold it to the front and back book covers...
s of each of the New NaturalistNew NaturalistThe New Naturalist Library books are a series published by Collins in the United Kingdom, on a variety of natural history topics relevant to the British Isles...
series since 1985.