 He studied at the Lambeth School of Art.Based in London, Brewtnall worked in both oil and watercolour, exhibiting, from 1868, at the Royal Academy, Society of British Artists, Grosvenor Gallery and the Royal Watercolour Society (RWS) - he was made a full member of the latter in 1883.He was also a member of the Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI).