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Ewbank was born at Gateshead in 1799(?), was apprenticed to a house-painter in Newcastle, and was brought to Edinburgh around 1816 by Colston, an enlightened house-painter and decorator, who allowed him to study under Alexander Nasmyth. His talents soon procured him practice both as a painter and a teacher. An early success which helped make him better known was a series of 51 drawings of Edinburgh by him, which were engraved by W. H. Lizars for Dr. James Browne's ‘Picturesque Views of Edinburgh,’ 1825. He gradually developed his Art, which was broad and delicate. His sea and shore views were noted for their simplicity and aerial effect. He was a founder member of the Scottish Academy in 1826 but in 1838 became only the second member to have his membership forfeited (officially for failure to deposit his Diploma work in accordance with the rules, but in effect on account of his drinking). At the height of his reputation; in one year his labours, it is said, brought him the handsome sum of £2,500, he suddenly gave way to habitual intoxication, his wife and children were reduced to want, and he himself became the tenant of a miserable cellar. During the last twelve years of his life his pictures were frequently painted in the taproom of an alehouse, or in his own wretched abode. They were generally painted on tin, within an hour or two, and sold on the instant, wet and unvarnished, for sixpence or a shilling, which was immediately spent on drink. He died of typhus fever in Bishopwearmouth Infirmary near Sunderland and is buried in an unmarked grave in Gill Cemetery there. The very first picture ever sold at the first Annual Exhibition of the [Royal] Scottish Academy was painted by Ewbank. vide A LAMENTABLE PROSTRATION OF GENIUS AT THE SHRINE OF SENSUALITY”; The sorry tale of John Wilson Ewbank RSA (1799-1847) by Robin H Rodger on ArtUK (Curations),