His early interest in art was developed through his interest in and collection of toys. Digby attended Lincoln College of Art with tutors: Tony Bartl, Bob Blatherwick & Hugh Robinson. He then attended Hornsey College of Art and benefited from the tutoring of Gordon House, Ron Ingles & Derek Nice. He was employed as an art assistant on the (then new) Telegraph Colour Supplement, working under the art director (who became a photographer), Hans Feurer. Together with Hans he began a further career in advertising.

Atkinson worked as an art director at Pritchard Wood & Partners, the first of six advertising agencies before joining Saatchi & Saatchi. After thirteen happy years with this company, and with a collection of industry awards, he spent a further seven years working with three other London agencies, before deciding to retire from full-time advertising.

Having discovered Cornwall (yes, people still do!), the Atkinsons moved to Cornwall, where Digby became a part-time tutor at University College Falmouth. This has returned him to painting, though he is still collecting toys.