Painter and teacher, born in Perth, Scotland, who studied at Edinburgh College of Art under William Gillies. Later showed at RSA. During World War II, which interrupted Watt’s studies for six years, he served with the Royal Indian Navy, being mentioned in dispatches. Won several painting scholarships and awards before becoming senior lecturer and subsequently head of post-diploma studies at Leeds College of Art in 1947. While at Leeds was influenced by American Abstract Expressionism and took part at Leeds City Art Gallery in the Teaching Image exhibition in 1964. Moved to Canterbury in 1965, transforming the Canterbury School of Art into an internationally recognised College before he retired in 1981. Died in North Shields, Tyneside, after one of a series of drawing trips with a local trawler fisherman.