William Hunter Littlejohn RSA (1929-2006) was a highly distinguished Scottish painter practicing largely in watercolour and collage-based media.
Littlejohn was educated at Arbroath High School and then studied art at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee (1946-50). His promise as a draughtsman was recognised as early as 1963 when he held his first solo exhibition and he latterly joined the faculty at Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen, as a lecturer. In 1972, he was appointed Head of Fine Art, retiring in 1991.
In 2006, William Littlejohn gifted the contents of his studio to the Royal Scottish Academy. This consisted of over 300 watercolours, oils, drawings and prints along with studio objects, sketch-books and research documents.
The RSA has since accessioned a number of key works into its permanent collection – these along with the books and studio objects form the William Littlejohn Studio Collection. Works from the gift have been exhibited in Edinburgh, Stonehaven, Forfar and Arbroath and the proceeds of the sales of any works are added to the bequest for future disbursal to artists participating in the William Littlejohn Award.