This stunning watercolour of Notting Hill & Ealing High School has an amazing story behind it. It was painted in 1980 by Antony Dracup – an eccentric former civil servant who possessed a lifelong passion for architecture and buildings.

Antony lived in Ealing for several years before later moving to Shropshire. We had the absolute privilege of meeting his son, Dennis Dracup, who is a talented artist in his own right. Dennis shared some wonderful memories of his father, who sadly passed away in 2002 at the age of 72, leaving behind a staggering legacy of thousands of watercolours.

“He always talked about how you’re painting the air.” – Dennis Dracup, on his father’s artistic philosophy.

From Grand Architecture to Miniature Worlds

Dennis explained to us how his father’s love for intricate architectural detail seamlessly crossed over into the world of hands-on craft. Antony wasn’t just a gifted painter; he was also a skilled carpenter who sculpted with immense precision.

To give you an idea of his dedication to detail, Antony once built an entire doll’s house, hand-crafting every single piece of miniature furniture inside it. He was so consumed by his craft that he even built his own bespoke, portable watercolour kit to take on his travels.

Intense Detail Meets Weightless Light

We can see this exact duality playing out beautifully in our painting of NHEHS.

On one hand, Antony’s eye for structure captures the school’s buildings with crisp, loving accuracy. On the other hand, the painting maintains a breathtaking lightness. Look closely at the trees: rather than being heavily painted, they are softly suggested. Antony’s technique perfectly captures his belief that a painter shouldn’t just capture solid objects, but the very atmosphere surrounding them.

We are incredibly grateful to Dennis for sharing these stories with us, giving us a whole new appreciation for a piece of school history that beautifully captures a moment in time. Read more about Antony Dracup here.

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