Vasily Dobretsov studied in Moscow at the Faculty of Arts at VKHUTEIN; continued his education at the Higher Institute of Architecture and Construction – MARHI.
He was the chief architect of Noginsk from 1935–1954, became the author of projects for houses in Noginsk and Zvenigorod. Participated in the development of the master plan for the post-war reconstruction of Minsk (1945–1946).
The artist was engaged in easel painting; painted landscapes, portraits, thematic paintings.
Dobretsov exhibited at various exhibitions of works by artists of the Moscow region, held a solo exhibition in Noginsk, taught at the Moscow Architectural Institute (1926–1937, 1943–1945).