Richard Colson was born in Edinburgh. He studied painting at Goldsmiths (1973-77) where he was awarded a BA Fine Art 1st Class (Hons) (1977).

His work then began to be included in group shows at The New Grafton Gallery, the Russell Gallery, Cadogan Contemporary, the Francis Kyle Gallery and then at Theo Waddington Fine Art. He had his first solo show in London at Theo Waddington Fine Art (1996). This was followed by a solo show in Dublin at the Solomon Gallery (1997).

He had two person shows at the New Grafton Gallery (2004) and at the Russell Gallery (2009). Other solo exhibitions have been at Royal Dutch Shell (2005), the Palace of Westminster (2006) and at the Chelsea Arts Club (2020) and Cricket Fine Art, London (2022).

His awards include a Daler-Rowney Prize at the London Group – Barbican Curve Gallery (1992) and the Fresh Paint Prize in Wales (Picton Castle) (2017).

His work can be found in the collections of Thos Agnew and Sons, the House of Lords, the House of Commons, Pearson Holdings (FT), Fasken, the Chelsea Arts Club and Royal Dutch Shell. He lives and works in London