Born in London in 1932, Ken Howard studied at the Hornsey College of Art and the Royal College of Art. He established his reputation as a painter of light and atmosphere, frequently drawing inspiration from his travels and his studio in Cornwall.

His work is characterized by a focus on the interplay of light and shadow, often utilizing a palette that captures the nuances of coastal environments and intimate interior spaces. He worked primarily in oil, maintaining a commitment to traditional representational painting throughout his career.

Howard served as a war artist in Northern Ireland and was a long-standing member and former president of the New English Art Club. His contributions to British art were formally recognized through his election as a Royal Academician in 1991 and his appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.