He was able to teach himself to paint copying prints and
when his father died in 1842, his brother John, also a renowned
artist (his other brother James was a celebrated engraver),
persuaded Thomas to go to Edinburgh and train at the Board of
Manufactures School of Design, under Sir William Allan. Thomas Faed
exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy in 1844 and became an
associate in 1849. He continued to paint Scottish scenes for the
most part despite a move to London in 1852. He was elected as an
associate of the Royal Academy in 1864 and was given full
membership in 1864.