Painter and teacher, born in Exeter, Devon. He studied at Bromley College of Art, 1954–6, then again, 1958–61, after National Service in the Army. Atkins was much influenced by the work of Frank Auerbach, and while at the Slade School of Fine Art doing postgraduate studies worked in Auerbach’s studio. In 1965 Atkins taught at Bournemouth College of Art, from 1965–70 at Reading University’s department of fine art under Claude Rogers and in 1971 at Epsom School of Art. After some adult education centre teaching in the early 1970s based in Reading, Atkins went on to teach at Falmouth School of Art. From the early 1970s he showed in many mixed shows, including LG. Had one-man show at Piers Morris Gallery in 1970, then showed regularly solo throughout Britain, with a series at Art Space Gallery from 1989.