Sir William Flint R.A. - By: David Tatham

Born in Edinburgh on 4th April 1880. Son of Francis Wighton Flint, a watercolourist and designer, Sir William Russell Flint's background was already an artistic one. Flint entered the Royal Institution School of Art in Edinburgh after the Daniel Stewarts College, where he learnt the basic rules of line and colour which Flint later developed into his own unique style. He became a draughtsman at a large printing works in Edinburgh, which taught him the discipline needed to become one of the great artists.

Russell Flint became an artist/illustrator in 1903 for the Illustrated London News as an artist. A time before photographs where drawings and paintings were the only source of information for this age.The Illustrated London News was distributed across the British Empire, and the name of William Russell Flint became known throughout the world as an international watercolour artist. His work as a book illustrator can be seen in titles such as 'Canterbury tales', "Morte d'Arthur", "The song of Solomon" which he produced upto 1914. He joined the Royal Navy air service in world war I and was promoted to Admiralty Assistant Overseer in 1918. He travelled back to Scotland in airships where he continued studying Art. When his military service had finished,his travels took him to France and Spain where he began to paint the scenery and towns of the rural regions, although most of the work is situated in and around France.

Russell Flint was elected Associate of the Royal Academy in 1924 and nine years later became a full member.He was appointed President of the Royal Society of Painters in Watercolour in 1936. Flint and his wife Sybil lived for a while in Devon on a turkey farm throughout the second world war,. His naval connections allowed him to visit Devonport Dockyard to paint as and when he wished. At the end of the war, Russell Flint and Sybil returned to Peel Cottage, Campden Hill in London. Russell Flint lived until 89 years old, he was knighted in 1947.He had a long and distinguished carrer, creating a unique style to show the softness of silks and the texture of stone, that few have ever managed to emulate. The publication of Russell Flint's paintings to signed, limited edition prints, spread his name throughout the world, and many enjoyed his artistic creativity that would have otherwise been seen by only a few. Russell Flint's work became so well known that his original work is now in private collections across the globe.

About the Author

David Tatham is an art dealer specialising in original paintings and signed limited edition prints by known British artists, Lowry, David Shepherd, Sir William Russell Flint. The largest collection of his work can be viewed and purchased from http://www.russellflint.org">http://www.russellflint.org

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