Donald Hamilton Fraser is of Scottish descent and was born in London in 1929. He studied painting at St. Martin's School of Art and then in Paris with a French Government Scholarship. He taught at the Royal College of Art as a tutor and then Fellow from 1958 - 1983. He is a Royal Academician and has exhibited regularly there since 1975.

In 1968 he published a book on Paul Gauhlin's "Vision after the Sermon" and in 1989 Phaidon Press published a book on his paintings of dancers.

His chosen subject matter is predominantly landscape, with the emphasis upon color and surface texture reflecting the traditional affinity between Scottish and French painting. His own early contacts with the post-war Ecole de Paris continued this affinity for him, providing perhaps the most significant, formative influence in the development of his work.

Donald's work is exhibited throughout the UK and around the world. His work is represented in major public collections including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, The National Gallery of Canada and the Arts Council of Great Britain. His is married with grown up children and lives with his wife by the river in Henley on Thames.