Robin was born in Wrotham, Kent on 6 September 1942 and died at his home in Lyme Regis, Dorset on 17 November 2013, surrounded by his family.

He studied at University of London Goldsmiths’ College School of Art and Brighton College of Art. At Goldsmiths’ he won the David Murray Travelling Scholarship for landscape painting, from the Royal Academy; the Adrian Ryan Landscape Prize; and exhibited with the Young Contemporaries. After college he enjoyed a successful career in teaching for 23 years; this included Cheltenham College (1965-1969), Wellingborough School (1969-1973) and thereafter, 15 years as Head of Art and Design at Maidstone Grammar School. 

In 1988 he gave up teaching to concentrate on his freelance work. This initially included painting, examining work for two examining boards and tutoring for the National Extension College, as well as writing. But it wasn’t long before he was able to focus exclusively on journalism and writing books. Over the last 25 years he has written for a variety of publications, although he is best known for his monthly features in The Artist magazine (written under the pseudonym of Oliver Lange) and Leisure Painter magazine. He also wrote occasional features for Dorset magazine. His work included reviews, information features and articles on technique, with his specialism being interview features on the work and working methods of well-known contemporary artists. Additionally he wrote 36 books. Robin’s family is immensely proud of his professional achievements and the respect he holds in his field.

Robin leaves his wife of 49 years, Patricia; his son, Simon and daughters Rachel, Sarah and Amanda-Jane; their partners Joanne, David and Stephen and his grandchildren, Emily, Jagen, Alysia, Estelle, Kobie and Harriet. Additionally, Robin bereaves his extended family and many close friends. He was well loved and is greatly missed.