David Shepherd, CBE, FRSA, FGRA, was an internationally acclaimed British artist, best known for his paintings of wildlife, steam locomotives, and military scenes. His work has been immensely popular since the 1960s, and his dedication to conservation has left a lasting impact on the art world and beyond.

Born on April 25, 1931, in Hendon, London, David Shepherd won a children’s painting competition in Nursery World magazine at the age of eight. He attended Stowe School in Buckinghamshire but was rejected by the Slade School of Fine Art in London. Undeterred, he studied under the artist Robin Goodwin for three years.

Shepherd began his career painting aviation scenes, drawing inspiration from his experiences during the Blitz in World War II. In 1960, a trip to Kenya, commissioned by the Royal Air Force, marked a turning point in his career as he painted his first wildlife picture. From then on, he became renowned for his detailed, realistic depictions of endangered animals in their natural habitats, as well as his paintings of steam locomotives, landscapes, and portraits.