Alfred Farnsworth studied engineering in his native England before emigrating to the United States, ending up in San Francisco in 1892. His talent for art led him to abandon engineering in favor of a career as a newspaper illustrator. Hired by the San Francisco Examiner, Farnsworth had to make quick sketches of newsworthy scenes in ink or watercolor, and, like fellow newspaper artist Percy Gray, used this training in spontaneous draftsmanship to hone his skills as a watercolor painter. Early in the twentieth century, Farnsworth moved to Marin County and created beautiful views in watercolor of Stinson Beach and Mount Tamalpais. Farnsworth’s experience as an illustrator led him to include details of everyday life in his artistic portrayals of scenic locations.
