Printmaker, painter, ceramist, illustrator and teacher, born in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. He attended the local College of Art, 1956–9, then studied at Slade School of Art, 1960–2, painting with William Coldstream and etching with Anthony Gross. In 1962 Tillyer gained a French Government Scholarship to study gravure under William Hayter at Atelier 17 in Paris. Taught part-time at Chelsea School of Art, 1963–70, etching at Bath Academy of Art, Corsham, until 1972, and at Watford School of Art, 1970–3. Stopped regular teaching in 1973, although in 1975–6 was visiting professor at Brown University, America. In 1981–2 was artist-in-residence at Melbourne University, Australia. Tillyer travelled widely, in the early 1980s through Europe for the First Grand Tour watercolours; in 1984 through southwestern America; and in 1990 through California and Arizona.