John taught at the Ruskin from 1963 to 1989, retiring as Acting Head of School.

Born in 1934, John first studied Architecture at Cambridge before transferring to Fine Art at Newcastle, where he studied under Lawrence Gowing and Victor Pasmore. He came to Oxford in 1962 to teach at the Ruskin School of Drawing, as it was known then, and also worked at Sanders, where he developed his deep knowledge of the watercolour medium.

When Fine Art became a degree subject at Oxford University, John joined the Ruskin full-time and became a Fellow of Brasenose College. After retiring, he settled in Somerset with his partner, the composer Bryan Kelly. In 1995 he was elected a full member of the Royal Watercolour Society and continued to exhibit regularly at the RA, NEAC, and RI.

John will be remembered as a gifted watercolourist and a dedicated teacher whose guiding influence shaped the work of many artists.