Charles Thompson studied at the Herkomer School in Bushey between 1892-1894. For some time afterwards he stayed on in Bushey, renting one of the Meadow Studios.

His future wife, Heather SUTCLIFFE, started at the Herkomer School in the same year as Thompson  - and he painted a portrait of her which was shown at the RA in 1894. 

Charles fell ill and was diagnosed as possibly suffering from TB, so he went to South Africa, where it was felt that the warmer climate might help his condition. Heather could not afford to go with him. He missed her so much that he decided to have the portrait of her shipped over. The ship sank and her cargo was lost, so Thompson was paid compensation - which was enough to pay for a ticket for Heather to join him. They were married in South Africa in 1896 and their only child, Lorenz Sutcliffe Thompson, was born there in 1898.  

They moved to Cornwall in 1903, moving from Newlyn up into Oakhill Cottage, at the top of Lamorna, on the through road near Trewoofe. Thompson continued to paint, as did his wife. They captured the beauty of the landscape in a series of canvases that are unexpectedly impressive. 

In 1905 Thompson was appointed the first curator of the Watts Gallery at Compton, Guildford (created in memory of the famous Victorian artist George Frederic Watts).  It was a prestigious post. Heather managed the pottery, which was very busy, while Charles oversaw the construction of the sculpture gallery and looked after the great Watts legacy. One aspect was a school and workshop for clay sculpture. Students for this were based at The Hostel at Compton. The Thompsons lived on site in the house, which is still used by the curator today. They remained there for a decade.

In 1915 they moved back to the far west of Cornwall. They set up home at Chyvarrian, on the road beyond Lamorna, leading towards Lands End, above the beautiful Penberth Valley. Charles continued to exhibit, particularly during the 1920s, participating in Show Days and Newlyn Society of Artists exhibitions. Heather suffered for many years from severe rheumatoid arthritis and died in 1936. In later life Charles became a familiar figure, walking around the area in an distinctive old felt hat. 

Thompson died in 1949 while staying in Worthing. His body was brought back for burial at Sennen. Many of his paintings were destroyed as the studio was cleared.