Bill Toop was born in Bere Regis, Dorset. He studied at Bath Academy of Art, Southampton Art College and Bristol Polytechnic, with tutors including Sir Howard Hodgkin, Robyn Denny, Stephen Russ and Derek Crowe.

After art college he moved to Salisbury where he lived for 37 years during which time he gained a national and international reputation for his watercolour painting.

Bill works almost exclusively in watercolour enjoying particularly painting water in many different locations; rivers, the sea, lakes and sometimes just wet roads and puddles.

Some recent work has been concerned with dusk lights at night, mainly incorporating water subjects with a relatively free approach, enjoying the possibilitiesof fluidity in the use of watercolour. Other recent work has involved West Country harbours and beaches with a clear and colourful approach.

His paintings can be found in very many public and private collections throughout the world including those of many famous people e.g. The Sultan of Oman, Sir Harry Secombe, Esther Rantzen, Lady Chichester, Earl of Radnor, etc. Many corporate bodies also number amongst Bill's collectors; Lloyds Bank, Coutts & Co, Institute of Directors, British Gas, Ministry of Agriculture, Whitbread Inns and the Atomic Energy Authority, to name but a few.