Frank Wootton

British born 1914-1998

Painter in oil and writer, born in Milford, Hampshire. He studied at Eastbourne College of Art under Eric Ravilious and Arthur Reeve-Fowkes, winning a gold medal and travelling scholarship, 1930. In 1939–46 Wootton was an Official War Artist with the Royal Air Force. Among Wootton's books were 'How to Draw Aircraft' and 'How to Draw Cars' and several books were published in Britain and America featuring his aviation pictures. Wootton was a president of the Guild of Aviation Artists and vice-president of the Society of Equestrian Artists. Among his awards were the CP Roberston Trophy, Air Ministry, 1979; Royal Aero Club Silver Medal and Companion of Honor, Royal Aeronautical Society, both 1985; and freedom of Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators, 1987.

Solo exhibitions included Ackermann Gallery, 1964; Tryon Gallery, from 1969; and National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, America, 1983. Imperial War Museum, Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton and other collections hold examples. Lived in Alfrison, Sussex.