Francis studied at St. Martins and Central School of Art, London, whilst pursuing his career as an illustrator, winning several prizes in prominent competitions. In 1960 he joined the Furneaux Gallery, London where he had his first one-man show. 1972 brought Francis success when he won the National Gallery's 150th anniversary poster award - the only contemporary artist's work to appear on a National Gallery poster.Described as a realist, or 'hyper-realist', Francis' work, although technically real, also conveys his dry sense of humour, adding a new dimension to familiar images, dreams and fantasies.