active 19th century Harry Willson

Harry Willson was active in the 19th century as an art author and instructor. He wrote The Use of a Box of Colours, published in London in 1842, a practical manual on composition, light and shade, and colour. The title page also identifies him as the author of Fugitive Sketches in Rome, Venice, etc., pointing to an interest in travel and artistic observation as well as teaching.

His writing comes across as direct and useful rather than academic. In The Use of a Box of Colours, he set out to give students a simpler, more workable introduction to the principles he taught successfully in practice, with the goal of shortening the learner's path and making art instruction more approachable.

Not much biographical detail could be confirmed from the sources I found, so a full life story remains unclear. Even so, the work that survives shows an author concerned with helping beginners build skill step by step, especially in the foundations of painting and watercolor.