Painter, wood engraver, writer and teacher, born in Karachi, who attended Edinburgh University, graduating with a master’s degree in 1922. Then studied painting at Royal College of Art under William Rothenstein and wood engraving with Sir Frank Short as a postgraduate during 1922–4. The several strands of Bliss’s versatile career then began to unwind. In 1927 he shared a show at the St George’s Gallery with Edward Bawden and Eric Ravilious, artists with whom he had a strong affinity. Also showed at RA, SWE and NEAC and had one-man exhibitions with Reid and Lefevre. In the 1930s Bliss taught at Hornsey and Blackheath Schools of Art, just after World War II – during which he served in the Royal Air Force – at Harrow School of Art, then from 1946–64 was the influential director of Glasgow School of Art.