Following studies at the Dundee College of Art 1943-1953, Swan began exhibiting at the Royal Scottish Academy. In 1954 Swan was awarded the RSA scholarship in London, where he befriended William Scott. Together they painted in Somerset and then in Cornwall. In 1958 Swan was awarded a British Council Scholarship for study in Italy. In Milan, Swan witnessed the vibrant contemporary art scene established by Lucio Fontana, Enrico Castellani and Roberto Crippa. During the 1960's Swan moved to Switzerland and then to Bonn in Germany, where he received honours and invitations to exhibit at important one-man shows and group shows about Abstract Art. In London, Swan exhibited at the Young Contemporaries and at Gimpel Fils. Swan died in Germany in 2000.