Karel Doruyter was born in Rotterdam, Holland, and came to Canada in 1953, at age 11, growing up in the interior of British Columbia. His interest in art started at an early age and he had his first exhibition in 1959. He attended the University of British Columbia from 1961 to 1968. During this time he had his own studio and also supported himself as a graphic artist.

For the next 20 years he had a variety of jobs including planning and design, manpower planning, human resource training and management in Canada and Australia, where he moved in 1972. During this time he developed an interest in boat building and design as well as continuing to work as an artist. He taught adult education classes in drawing and painting both in British Columbia and Tasmania. After returning to Canada he settled on Hornby Island, in 1980, where he built boats and continued his artistic career. Exploring the BC coast and working with native artists influenced his painting in subject matter as well as style. This culminated with his move to Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) in 1989 to work with the elders. He remained there for the next six years.

At present Karel Doruyter lives in Victoria, painting, writing and managing high latitude expeditions.