Landscape watercolourist, draughtsman, printmaker and teacher who worked in a meticulous style, born in Kettering, Northamptonshire. Showed an early talent for drawing, but poor health restricted him to elementary schooling, then in 1913 he joined the architectural practice of Marriott, Cooper and Williams. During World War I he held an Army commission, being wounded in France. Studied at Bournemouth Municipal School of Art, 1919–21, under Geoffrey Baker, Henry Crocket and Leslie Ward. A fellow-student was Bertha Beal, whom Bell married in 1922, their son being the teacher and artist John Bell. Arthur and Bertha Bell were prolific between the two world wars, having work selected for the RA Summer Exhibition, being members of the Poole and East Dorset Art Society and Bournemouth Arts Club and having joint exhibitions.