Biographical Information

Henry Wilkinson
British Born 1921

Henry Wilkinson , was born into an artistic family, his Father having been taught to paint by John Ruskin, eventually became the Headmaster of Winchester College of Art. It was whilst living in Winchester that the young Wilkinson learned the first skills of Gun Making, climbing out of the scullery window in the evenings to work, unknown to his farther, at the famous gunmakers 'Hamond of Winchester'. It was at Hammonds that he first became fascinated by engraving, learning from the craftsmen who decorated the metalwork on the hand-made firearms. Today Henry Wilkinson is one of the last remaining qualified Muzzle Loading' gun maker in the country.

Following his early studies at Winchester College of Art, entrance was gained to the Royal College of Art in the Painting School. By hard work a place was also gained in the Engraving School, under Robert Austin R.A. and Malcolm Osbourne MA. MBE, where he won the Royal British Institute Scholarship in Engraving. This gave him extra time at the college and enabled him to gain a traveling scholarship, as well as the diplomas. Study in Heidelberg, France and Italy followed. After the War he was elected to the Royal Society of Painters, Etchers & Engravers, ultimately as a counselor.

For many years he was professor of the Engraving School at the City and Guilds of London, a consultant to the Morris Singer Bronze Founders and a council member of the Royal Society of Painter Etchers. These appointments he has now relinquished.

While a student at the Royal College of Art Wilkinson was introduced to Harold Dickins by Sir Walter Lamb secretary to the R.A.. Dickins then introduced Wilkinson to George Vernon Stokes the famous canine artist and engraver, Wilkinson then helped Stokes print his editions until his death in 1954. It was only then that Wilkinson began to produce his original drypoints of Dogs and other Sporting Subjects.

Today now into his eighties, Henry Wilkinson works alone in his studio - workshop in rural Kent, still producing his limited editions entirely single-handed. From origination, to hand engraving his metal plates and eventually printing and finishing the editions, the work is entirely his own. He even produces his own printing inks.

His genuine deep love and understanding for country life, rural pursuits and well bred dogs, built up over a lifetime, are clearly evident, not only in his 'Dry Points' and 'Line Engraving' Signed Limited Editions, but also in his Original Paintings which amazingly, he still finds time to paint.