James Downie Robertson was born in Cowdenbeath in 1931. He studied at the Glasgow School of Art under David Donaldson and Joan Eardley, graduating in 1953. In 1959 he joined the staff of the Glasgow School of Art, ultimately becoming a Senior Lecturer and temporary Head of Drawing and Painting, and had a major impact on the students he taught, before his retirement in 1996.
Robertson was predominantly a landscape painter, focusing his attention on on capturing the moods and feel of the places he painted. His work is held in many private and public collection worldwide, including that of HRH Prince Phillip and HRH The Queen Mother.