Clive Uptton

British painter

Clive Uptton (12 March 1911 – 11 February 2006) was a widely regarded British illustrator and painter of landscapes and portraits.

Biography

Uptton was born in Highbury, north London, the son of Clive Upton, who worked for Swain's, the engravers, as a touch-up artist and later for the Daily Mail newspaper.^[1]

Clive Uptton was educated at Brentwood Grammar School and Southend Art School before moving to London to attend the Central Art School and, later, Heatherley's School of Art.^[1] He began contributing professionally at the age of 19 before graduating from the Central Art School. When he noticed another artist named Upton was working for the Evening Standard, he added a second "t" to his surname so that their work would not be confused.^[2] From his studio in Cheapside, Uptton contributed illustrations to most of the major magazines of the day, including the Strand Magazine, Tit-Bits, Good Housekeeping, John Bull and The Sphere.^[1]

Between 1940 and 1942 Uptton was the political cartoonist of the Daily Sketch and the Sunday Graphic.^[1] During World War II, he also worked for the Ministry of Information producing cartoons and posters.^[1] After the war, he had a varied career as an illustrator and painter. He was a member of the Chelsea Arts Club, the Savage, and the London Sketch Club.

Uptton lived in Holland Park, west London, where he died shortly before his 95th birthday.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Mark Bryant (2011). The world's greatest war cartoonists and caricaturists, 1792-1945. Grub Street. p. 172.
^ Mark Bryant (2001). Dictionary of Twentieth century British cartoonists and Caricaturists. p. 229-230. ISBN 1840142863.