David Nicholls studied at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art in Oxford University. He subsequently worked as a freelance illustrator and lettering artist, executing many commissions for Oxford colleges. He was instrumental in the setting up of Oxford Scribes in 1983 and is involved with several other calligraphy societies. He has been a teacher of calligraphy, design and general arts subjects in adult education since 1986 and has taught widely at residential colleges.