- He was taught matte painting by British matte painting pioneer W. Percy Day.
- He became head of Universal's Matte Department in 1963.
- He moved to the United States in 1954.
- His artistic talent led to a promotion at British Gaumont into a job where he would paint signs and scenery.
- His first job in the industry was as an errand boy at Gaumont British Studios.
- In addition to the quality of his work, Whitlock was known for the speed at which he was able to complete his assignments. All of the matte paintings for Earthquake (1974) were completed in only 12 weeks.
- George C. Scott was quoted as saying that The Hindenburg (1975) was actually Whitlock's movie.
- He did the matte painting of the fortress for The Man Who Would Be King (1975) in only six hours.
- His work as a painter was cut short when he developed Parkinson's Disease.
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