John Varley (1778-1842). Landscape and architectural painter in watercolour. Born at The Old Blue Post Tavern, Hackney and apprenticed to the portrait painter Joseph Charles Barrow (1773-1774). In 1776 went on sketching tours around London with J. P. Neale. Exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1798. Toured North Wales with George Arnald (1768-1841) in 1798-1799. Developed friendship with Dr Thomas Monro around 1800. Varley formed part of the 'Monro Academy' circle. Began giving drawing lessons in 1801. In 1802 became a member of the Sketching Society. Taught William Mulready (1786-1863) in 1803 who married his sister Elizabeth Varley. In 1804 became a founder member of the Old Water Colour Society and began to acquire a reputation as a teacher. In this he placed importance upon direct working from nature. Pupils included:F. O. Finch (1802-1862), William Henry Hunt, Copley Fielding, Turner of Oxford (1789-1862), David Cox and John Linnell. Developed a style involving unmodulated layers of colour wash with hard edges. Published books and manuals on drawing: Treatise on the Principles of Landscape Drawing; 1816-18, Practical Treatise on the Art of Drawing and Perspective, 1815-20 and A Practical Treatise on the Art of Drawing, c1859-20, Precepts of Landscape drawing... Instructions to Young Artists, c 1818, Studies of Trees, 1818-19 and John Varley' s List of Colours 1816. First imprisonment for debt in 1820 and after periods of success died in poverty at the house of his dealer, William Vokins.