Neil K Kempsell was born in the west coast town of Helensburgh, Scotland on 26th August 1959. He followed his father's Naval career about the country, spending time in Edinburgh, and Dartmouth. Due to his father serving overseas in Australia, he boarded at Queen Victoria School, Dunblane for 8 years and apart from casual work on a farm, ran away to sea in 1976 at the tender age of 17, to see the world.
After serving as a Navigating Officer for 7 years, he decide to change tack, and went to Art College in Edinburgh. Four years of creative endeavour resulted in a BA[hons] in Design, specialising in Illustration and Animation.
During this time 1984 -1989, he also did a Post Graduate in Animation, as well nurturing a fruitful and prolific freelance career, drawing cartoons, illustrations and caricatures for The Scotsman, The Sunday Times, Standard Life, Scottish Widows, Scottish Life, Kwik Fit, to name but a few. He has also created two animated commercials for TV.
Further freelance commision work blossomed into 'much in demand' live caricature performances at corporate and private functions, many held at top Scottish hotels. Neil is now one of the leading 'live' Caricaturists working in Scotland, and is invited to prestigious events throughout the Country.
In 1992 he completed two short animated films in collaboration with the Royal Botanical Gardens, on the subject of Herbal Medicines. In 2005 he produced and directed an animated film in collaboration with the musician Martyn Bennett, exploring the Highland Clearance village of Hallaig on Raasay.
Neil is at present in pre production for another experimental animation based on another Martyn Bennett music track entitled 'Mackay’s Memoirs'.
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