Although Robinson's family, on the paternal and maternal side were involved in local government, he sought a career as a stained-glass artist.

During World War I he initially enlisted in the Artists Rifles, and was then released from military service to manage a shell factory.

Robinson attended Clifton College[1] and Royal West of England Academy,[2] followed by an apprenticeship with Christopher Whall.

Through his relationship with Joseph Bell & Son, Robinson received commissions for work, became a director at the firm[2] and later became owner.

[nb 1] Arnold himself had joined the Artists Rifles but was released from military service provided he took up war work.

[nb 2][8] Robinson became a director of the Bristol firm of Joseph Bell & Son, which carried out stained glass work for many West Country churches.

Established in 1908 by followers of William Morris's Arts and Crafts creed, the Bristol Guild of Applied Art was a co-operative of skilled workers offering hand-crafted work to replace mass-produced goods, improving the relationship between the worker and his work.