Genre painter. Born and educated in Edinburgh, Hutchison began his career as an engraver of seals but, with a love of painting, studied art at the Board of Manufactures School. Influenced by the Dutch School, and John and Thomas Faed (1819-1902 and 1826-1900 respectively), Hutchison's speciality was painting children and genre scenes in Scottish landscapes, with a distinctive style involving broad brushstrokes and soft, mute colours.
A prolific artist, Hutchison exhibited widely around Britain. His works include Visit from Granny (1882), Interior With Children (1884), The Village Carnival (c.1890), which was sold for £110,000 in Edinburgh in 2006, Old Fisherman, Lossiemouth, In sight of Jura and Playing on the Rocks, Carnoustie, held by the McManus Gallery (Dundee).
Hutchison was elected to the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour in 1895, an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1901 and a Member in 1911. He was awarded a medal for his work in 1903.