Neil Spilman was born in the village of Hemingbrough in Yorkshire in 1951. Entirely self taught, Neil discovered a natural ability for painting and drawing from an early age. After leaving school Neil went to work as a Shipwright/Loftsman, painting in his spare time. Ten years later in 1977 he left the shipyard to start his dream of becoming a full time artist, initially working mainly on portraits later branching into Landscape and Wildlife in which he was able to develop his love for detail combined with the impression of strong light on the scenery.